PHOTO BY KENNETH PEISER The Lampasas tennis team gazes around the school's new windscreens to watch and cheer as Zach Holcomb took on a Brownwood player. Holcomb won the match and clinched a 10-9 victory for LHS. With a district victory against Hendrickson today, Lampasas will earn its first ever trip to regionals. The Lampasas tennis team proved it can overcome adversity.

After falling behind 8-5, Lampasas rallied to take five of the final six matches, completing an impressive comeback and defeating Brownwood 10-9 on Saturday.

Prior to the upset, Lampasas was winless against Brownwood. Now the team hopes to keep the trend of firsts continuing.

Lampasas can advance to regionals as a team for the first time ever with a victory today against district opponent Hendrickson.

"This was a good team-building match," coach Kenneth Peiser said. "The players are getting behind each other, and watching each other, and know how important each match is."

Brownwood built its early lead during doubles play, defeating the boy duos before the girls regained some momentum. Abby Peterson/ Lillie Davis took their match in two sets 6-4, 6-4 while Kristine Smith/Macy McPherson and Amy Johnson/Katrina Salazar each won in three sets.

In mixed doubles, Alvin Aleman and Katie Shaw teamed up to win a close match, leading Lampasas to a 4-3 advantage overall.

"When they had a chance to win, they put it away," Peiser said. "Both players played a little more aggressive and executed crosscourt much better."

The lead did not last for long, however, as Peterson suffered an unexpected defeat, followed by losses from Caleb Wales, Nick Baker, Zach McKenzie and Davis, resulting in a three-set advantage for Brownwood at 8-5.

A trio of victories from Shaw, Smith and Cody Self quickly erased the deficit, tying up the match at 8-8, but after Mason Thornton lost, it was up to McPherson and Zach Holcomb to both win.

McPherson defeated her opponent in three sets, meaning the day's outcome hinged on Holcomb's match.

After a grueling match, Holcomb edged out his opponent, earning the 10-9 victory for his squad.

"[Holcomb] strung his match out for an hour and a half before he claimed a win in the third set tiebreaker," Peiser said. "Our players were behind the fence cheering him on and motivating him to keep it going."