PHOTO BY GABE WOLF Abby Peterson helps douse tennis coach Kenneth Peiser with water following Macy McPherson's regional-clinching victory during Lampasas' match against Hendrickson on Tuesday. It is the first time in school history that LHS sends the entire tennis team to regionals. Some say the waiting is the hardest part.

For the Lampasas tennis team, the long wait is over.

Thanks to a 13-6 victory over Pflugerville Hendrickson on Tuesday evening, the Badgers and Lady Badgers finally will get a taste of the postseason as a team when they travel to San Antonio for regionals on Oct. 31.

For coach Kenneth Peiser, the accomplishment is nine years in the making.

"It feels good," Peiser said after being doused with water by his players following the team's matchclinching victory. "[The players] will definitely be enjoying it [Friday] during school."

The anticipation now becomes the hardest part.

With more than three full weeks between last Tuesday's match and regionals, Peiser's focus now goes toward keeping his team mentally sharp and focused during the down time.

Lampasas travels to Lake Travis on Tuesday for its final match of district play, but Peiser will be hunting for practice opponents to fill the remaining void in the schedule.

"I need to try to get at least a couple more matches in, because practicing for two weeks is kind of tough," the coach said. "You would always rather play than practice."

Against Hendrickson, Lampasas (4-0 district) was almost flawless in doubles competition, winning five of six matches including some dominating performances from the Lady Badgers, who lost just 10 games in six sets.

Abby Peterson/Lillie Davis won 6-2, 6-1, and Kristine Smith/Macy McPherson took their match in two sets (6-4, 6-1). The most impressive win came from the duo of Meredith Lane and Amy Johnson, who won 6-0, 6-2.

Partners Zach McKenzie/Nick Baker (6-3, 6-2) and Cody Self/ Zach Holcomb (7-5, 6-4) were victorious, which helped Lampasas to a 5-2 lead at the conclusion of doubles play.

"They were nervous at practice," Peiser said. "When they got out here, they were still nervous, but once they got settled into the match they started playing better, and we jumped out to a lead."

Needing just five more victories to secure a spot in San Antonio, Lampasas answered the call as Peterson, Davis, McKenzie and Johnson all came up victorious. McPherson then shut out her opponent in two sets (6-0, 6-0), winning the 10th match of the evening and clinching the slot at regionals.

"You could feel a lull there in the middle," Peiser said. "When Zach [McKenzie] got his win, then it kind of changed again.

"They knew we needed two more, and that's when they started stepping up."

The team will travel to San Antonio on Oct. 30 and find out who they will be facing during the 16- team, two-day placement tournament. Lampasas will play two teams per day.

"Anything can happen if they start fighting and want to win bad enough," Peiser said.