Once again, the Brownsville Veterans Memorial Chargers will begin the team tennis season with a target on their backs.
“We lost a few seniors on both sides, girls and boys,” coach Leo Casanova said. “I like the way the team looks like right now. We have some strong girls and we got a few strong boys coming back, so I like our chances for this season.”
Last season, Brownsville Veterans Memorial dominated district play with a 7-0 record to claim its second consecutive 32-5A title.
In 2016, the Chargers also went undefeated in district play (7-0) to win the first district championship that year in athletics for the school.
Familiar faces from the 2017 team, including Annette Lira, Ana Paola Sanchez, Isabella Vasquez and Issayana Gavino, return this season to help the Chargers attain their goal.
The coach believes the team possibly has the No. 1 and No. 2 girls in the district in Lira and Sanchez.
On the boys side, Jose Garza and Eric Marroquin will bring veteran experience to help elevate Brownsville Veterans’ chances going forward.
The Chargers lost Kaylee Garzoria to graduation but already have a replacement in Alexandra Villarreal, who will join the Brownsville Veterans team tennis squad for the first time.
“I’m hoping our new leaders are able to push our team forward,” Casanova said. “Just because our girls are strong, it doesn’t mean we can’t get some victories on the boys’ side. Like I said, we have a few strong boys.”
Although the Chargers have an opportunity for their third consecutive district title, the road may be unpredictable as Casanova said the team will be ready for any unexpected challenges facing it, including playing against a new school in the 32-5A district.
“I’m just excited,” he said. “We actually have a new team coming into our district with (Pharr) Valley View. I have no idea how they play. I’ve never seen them play. It’s going to be exciting. With teams across the district losing some of their top players, it’s going to be a fight to the end.”
Brownsville Veterans will begin its quest for a third consecutive district title when it opens its team tennis season against Pace at 4 p.m. today at the Vikings’ courts.
The Chargers will be back in action at 9 a.m. Saturday when they play host to Donna High, which finished in second place last season with a 6-1 record.