Mikenzie Myrick plays the net during her mixed doubles match with Chris Monroe Friday afternoon. It was not the outcome Lampasas hoped for, but the school’s varsity tennis team left Belton with something just as valuable as a victory.

The Badgers and Lady Badgers gained good experience as they work their way toward district.

“We did not finish as high in this one as in past tournaments,” Lampasas head coach Kenneth Peiser said. “This was a real strong tourney, and the kids said they got something from it. So, we shall see.”

Despite failing to pick up their fourth consecutive top-five finish as a team, the Badgers and Lady Badgers produced several impressive performances.

In doubles, Lillie Davis and Katie Shaw finished third overall, while the duos of Emily Bever/ Ashley Hause and Kenneth McGuire/Jeremy Cantu each placed fourth.

Davis and Shaw worked their way into the semifinals before succumbing to a powerful pair from Waco Midway that went on to win the tournament.

Above: Senior Mason Thornton begins his serve during his doubles match with partner Alex Morua at the Belton tournament. Right: Lady Badger Katie Shaw eyes the ball as she prepares to deliver a serve while playing doubles with Lillie Davis against Waco Midway. Lampasas’ other girls’ doubles tandem of Bever and Hause wrapped up their day at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and lost in a tiebreaker.

“They had many chances to advance to the finals but could not pull out the tiebreakers,” Peiser said. “They improved on the day, though.”

McGuire and Cantu finished fourth in boys’ doubles and impressed their coach, as it was the first time they had paired up in competition.

“They had a good day of play and also had their chances to finish higher,” Peiser said. “Both boys learned a lot.”

PHOTOS BY RICHARD AKRIDGE In other doubles action, Chris McWaters and Mackenzie Benton placed fourth in mixed doubles, while Mikenzie Myrick/Chris Monroe and Mason Thornton/Alex Morua each finished 13th.

Zach Holcomb, who typically plays singles, lost in the consolation finals.

Cheyenne Morrow cracked the top 10 with an eighth-place finish. In other singles competition, Alvin Aleman placed 10th and Casey Scott was 13th.

A total of 17 teams took part in the Belton tournament, which made for a long day for the Badgers and Lady Badgers but, according to Peiser, a lot was accomplished.

“[It was] another 14-hour tennis day,” the coach said. “The kids were able to get plenty of really good play in today.”

Lampasas hosts a meet Thursday and then travels to Midway and Killeen for the final tournaments before the twoday district tournament gets under way April 6 in Marble Falls.