By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
LYFORD — Team tennis seasons will be different this fall in the East Valley due to decisions made by the UIL in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UIL delayed the beginning of competition to Sept. 7 for Class 6A and 5A programs, but didn’t make adjustments for 4A schools. Both decisions will shorten teams’ seasons and could spark a new format for district competitions.
Teams that compete at the 4A level could miss close to or more than one month of the season, which is set to begin with competition Aug. 17, because of county health orders.
“I’m not happy with (the UIL’s decision), I think we should’ve been pushed back just like the big schools,” Rio Hondo coach Mary Salas said. “We’re a 4A school but our facilities are made for small schools, so we’re crowded, and our kids are just as susceptible as the big schools. We have to follow (Cameron County) law, so we’re not going to start until Sept. 8.”
Texas attorney general Ken Paxton issued guidance Tuesday stating “local health authorities may not issue blanket orders closing all schools in their jurisdiction on a purely prophylactic basis” that gives school districts the option to reopen facilities prior to the dates set by their county. It’s unclear whether any East Valley schools will adjust their current timetables with the RGV being a coronavirus hotspot.
District 32-4A was scheduled to start district play Sept. 10, but Salas expects the schedule to be pushed back at least two weeks. La Feria coach Noe Moraida can’t start practicing with his athletes until Sept. 14 and said the updated district certification deadline of Oct. 24 gives 32-4A some extra time to get all teams back together safely and “hopefully” get in two rounds of district.
The UIL is allowing all classifications to have a district tournament to determine playoff representatives and seeding, with no more than two schools allowed at one site. Salas said 32-4A is considering going that route if a normal schedule can’t be completed. Either way it works out, she’s keeping her players active with at-home workouts in preparation for limited practice before competitions.
“I tell them we’re not going to have time to work on skills because we’re going to jump right into matches and maybe even district,” Salas said. “I feel bad because I have a lot of incoming freshmen that were barely learning the game, so we’re going to have to coach a lot with our newbies. The good thing is I have some juniors and seniors that are really good mentors. My upperclassmen can help me with the newbies, and that’s what I’m thankful for.”
Raymondville was realigned to District 31-4A. Bearkats coach Eloy Castillo said the district is small, so he believes even with Willacy County keeping his school closed until Sept. 21 and Hidalgo opponents delayed until Sept. 28, the district schedule won’t change much. Castillo wants to have regular season dual matches to prepare his athletes for district but he said he has to wait for approval until after they return to school.
Harlingen South tennis coach Ernesto Escamilla said 32-6A has a district tournament plan in its back pocket just in case. Since it does have two Hidalgo County teams that won’t return to school until Sept. 28, Escamilla said the district superintendents met and decided Oct. 5 would be a universal first day of practice.
If a traditional district schedule is played, Escamilla doesn’t think the Hawks will have much time for regular season matches and they’ll “have to hit the ground running.” He had to cancel a tournament and several regular season matches that were scheduled for August. If a tournament is played, he’ll look for some practice matches. The UIL is allowing 6A and 5A programs up to three matches per week this fall.
Escamilla said the 2020 team tennis season will present challenges for coaches and athletes, but with flexibility and the right mindset, he knows his Hawks will be able to adjust.
“Any of my athletes that decide to do the virtual route, which is totally understandable, they won’t be able to be in my varsity tennis class. They will only get to come to afterschool practice, so that’s one of the adjustments we’ll have to make, but the priority for us is health,” Escamilla said. “As a whole, we’re not going to be in the best shape when we come back. This has been different.
“We’re just doing the best we can, and we have to be flexible with it and be an example for our students,” he added. “In times of uncertainty, we have to be the light. We have to be the encouragement and the positive role models for them when it comes to safety and attitude and energy.”