PHOTO BY KENNETH PEISER Alvin Aleman delivers a serve while doubles parter Zach Holcomb waits at the net for a return. The duo won the match, but split their singles matches against the Mustangs with Holcomb winning and Aleman falling. Lampasas' play on the tennis courts cooled off almost as quickly as the weather on Tuesday.

After tearing through the first district opponent with ferocity, beating Hutto 19-0, the Badgers and Lady Badgers let an opportunity to extend their district unbeaten streak slip through their fingers against Marble Falls.

With dark skies above and cool temperatures in the air, Lampasas lost control late, falling 11-8 at home after holding an 8-6 advantage.

"The players let their fear of losing cloud their drive to win," head tennis coach Kenneth Peiser said.

Although the team did not close the door on Marble Falls, it had a solid performance to start the match.

The squad immediately grabbed four victories as Katrina Salazar/ Paige Jones, Zach Holcomb/Alvin Aleman, Chris Monroe/Chris McWaters and Cody Self/Emily Bever all won their doubles matches.

It was almost five wins, but the duo of Lillie Davis and Katie Shaw lost their third set 7-5 to Marble Falls' top team.

"[They] played good but just could not capitalize on some deuce points," Peiser said.

Despite the setback, the team was in excellent position to knock off Marble Falls.

"Getting ahead in the doubles is a big help," the coach said. "This way we only need six singles matches, and we win."

Holcomb and Monroe quickly trimmed the magic number down to four, as each disposed of his opponent.

Then Mason Thornton bounced back from a disappointing doubles defeat to dominate his opponent.

But the Mustangs would not go away, and they picked up a pair of victories over Alex Morua and Aleman to trim Lampasas' lead to 7-5.

On the girls' side, Salazar imposed her will and grabbed a win, but Mackenzie Benton was not as fortunate.

With the score standing at 8-6 in Lampasas' favor, the cool front rolled in.

The Lady Badgers' top two players, Davis and Shaw, both fell and, suddenly, Lampasas found itself in a tie.

"Davis played a good first set but could not keep up the tempo in the second, and Shaw was outplayed in her match as the score became tied 8-8," Peiser said.

With both teams searching for two more victories to win, Jones, Macy McPherson and McWaters took to the courts, but all three fell.

"Jones fought back to win the second set but could not find the shots to win the third, and McPherson tried to take the second set but could not push it to a third, giving Marble Falls the win," Peiser said. "Nerves played a big part in our matches."

McWaters' loss made the final score 11-8.

In extra matches, Cody Self, Wade Martin, Bever and Ashley Hause all won.

Lampasas returns to action Saturday at 8 a.m., hosting Leander. The junior varsity team will play at the middle school, while the varsity will be at the high school courts.