PHOTO BY GABE WOLF Doubles partners Amy Johnson (right) and Jessica Baker slap rackets after scoring against Copperas Cove on Friday. The Lampasas High School tennis team went a full seven days without playing in a scheduled match, but over the weekend, they made up for lost time.

The team spent Friday and Saturday in Killeen participating in a total of 76 matches against Shoemaker, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights and Ellison, with each player registering a singles and a doubles match against each school. The girls were dominant, winning 24 of 36 matches. It wasn't enough, however, to keep LHS on the winning side.

Lady Badger Abby Peterson was near flawless, going 7-1, while Merideth Lane finished with a 6-2 record. And in her first year at the No. 1 spot, junior Lillie Davis went 5-3, but the team still lost 3-1 to their competition.

The Badgers' lone win came against Shoemaker (15-4) while Copperas Cove (16-3), Harker Heights (15-4) and Ellison (10-9) all registered victories over LHS.

It was a difficult two days for the boys' team, but coach Kenneth Peiser was complimentary about the desire and grit shown by the players over the weekend, something he felt they lacked in the past.

"They improved the close match toughness as the weekend went on," said Peiser. "This team has some drive and determination and will dig down and fight for every point, a very welcome sight."

On Saturday, Zach McKenzie and Mason Thornton won a tough doubles match against Harker Heights, and Dylan Ham was successful in his singles match against Ellison, almost giving LHS the victory.

There is plenty of time on the calendar for recovery, because the Badgers' Tuesday match against Burnet has been canceled. The team will have 11 days off before the next match against Gatesville on Sept. 4.

"The team is getting excited to play each match and working hard in practice, so anything can happen this year," the coach said.