By ANDREW CRUM,Staff Writer
For Rivera’s Julissa Rostro, it was worth the wait.
Rostro won the girls district singles title over Harlingen South’s Ashley Ray, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, in the District 32-6A tennis tournament Thursday at the Brownsville Tennis Center.
The senior advances to the regional for the first time. It will be held April 21 and 22 at McFarland Tennis Center in San Antonio.
“It was my dream to make it to regionals since freshman year,” Rostro said as the emotions flowed through tears of joy. “I’ve worked really hard to get here. I was super anxious, excited, nervous before and during the match, but I did it and I still can’t believe it.”
Ray also will advance to the regional for her runner-up finish as the top two players and doubles teams advance from each district.
Rostro finished third in district last year, losing to the same opponent. Rivera coach Daniel Espinosa told his senior to breathe to help her refocus during the match.
“She fought in the second set, but she came up short,” he said. “She started strong in the third set and continued going. Momentum builds, but it’s never over until it’s over. That’s all you focus on, (breathing), not the external, and everything will take care of its self.”
Rostro was disappointed she lost the second set because she was up 4-2 at one point. Some quick words of encouragement from her coach before the third set helped reassure her.
“I just tried to keep the ball in play and kept telling myself I could do it and believe in myself,” she said. “I think that’s what I didn’t do last year.”
In girls doubles, Caitlyn Resendez and Allison Kyral from Harlingen South defeated teammates Thiffany Yeupell and Ariana Gray 6-3, 6-2 for the district title and a regional spot. Yeupell and Gray defeated Hanna’s Marcy Castillo and Mykayla Brama 6-2, 6-0 to finish second and advance to the regional.
On the boys side, Jeremiah Gonzalez of Harlingen South defeated teammate Matt Ringeanu 6-1, 6-0 to win the boys district singles title and advance to San Antonio. Ringeanu defeated Chris Castillo of Hanna 6-1, 6-0 for the runner-up spot to advance to the regional.
“(Matt) started off really strong and was making me play a lot,” Gonzalez said. “Once the match progressed, I took control of it and it went in my favor.”
This is the third straight year Gonzalez has won a district title. He won a mixed doubles title last year and doubles title during his freshman season.
In boys doubles, Nick Byrum and Justin McManus of Harlingen High defeated Christopher Cavazos and Jonathan Roseff of Harlingen South 6-3, 6-4 to win the district title and advance to the regional. Cavazos and Roseff defeated teammates Bobby Leon and Rudy Montero 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 for second place and a regional slot.
In mixed doubles, Hunter Buie and Grace Bell of Harlingen South defeated Travis Walther and Skylar Snell of Harlingen High 6-1, 6-1 to win the district title. Walther and Snell defeated Jorge Garcia and Josie De La Fuente of Harlingen South 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to claim the runner-up’s regional trip.
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.