The juggernaut has awakened

-Blake Borron

The undefeated and third^-ranked-in-state varsity tennis team, now with a flawless 19-0 record, stormed through the District Tournament Oct. 10-12, dropping only one individual match. But even with all the success this year, and an almost guaranteed return trip to State at the Lake Travis World of Tennis Nov. 2 after knocking off other regional dynamos Churchill (12-3) and Reagan (15-4) during the regular season, a long shadow is cast by perennial tennis power Plano West.  The Wolves of Plano West have defeated Westlake in State four years in a row and are currently ranked number one in the state.

But many of the Westlake players are still confident in the team’s chances for the climax of the year.  The only obstacle between them and a return to State is the Regional Tournament Oct. 26-27 in Corpus Christi.

“No fate but state, baby!”  senior Dylan Peele said. 

His doubles partner, senior Jeffrey Springer, is equally confident.

 “This is our year—we are the juggernaut,” Jeffrey said.

For the fifth year in a row, Westlake will attempt to challenge Plano West and its current dynasty (supposing that both teams qualify for State as expected).  With a senior- laden girls lineup and an astonishingly youthful but incredibly talented boys lineup, one would be naïve to count out the Chaps as they strive to accomplish the dream that has eluded them for so many years.