57°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Boys tennis team surprises opponents, qualify for regionals

Sophomore boys Boulder City tennis player Andre Pappas had two goals coming into the season. The first was to qualify as a team for a regional tournament spot, an accomplishment that's been years in the making for one of the Division I-A's prominent doormats. The second was to improve enough to qualify individually for a regional championship. Through hard work and dedication this season, Pappas and the Eagles were able to accomplish both.

Grabbing their first postseason appearance since the Nevada Interscholastic Athletics Association moved Boulder City from the AAA conference into the newly created Division I-A, the tennis program has turned the corner on what started out as an ugly beginning. Despite dropping this past week's regional semifinal to potential Division I-A state champion The Meadows 17-1, the Eagles, which feature one of the state's youngest rosters, showed life this season, like Pappas had predicted, when no one expected them to.

"This team is young, but so talented," Pappas had said during a midseason interview. "No one really expects us to compete given our record last year, but we're going to continue to get better throughout the next few years and make some noise in postseason play."

Despite failing to conquer the moment against a senior-laden Meadows team Tuesday, most of the boys roster will get an opportunity to continue to surprise their critics this season at next week's individual tournament.

Grabbing all three singles spot and a pair of doubles, the Eagles will send sophomores Andre Pappas, Sam O'Berto and Pedro Velarde to compete individually, while the teams of sophomore Adam Clary and freshman Leaf Kaboli and seniors Jordan Hill and Aidan Schofield will square off together.

Despite failing to qualify for team regionals, the Lady Eagles will also be well represented at the individual event, sending all three of their singles competitors and both doubles teams as well. In singles competition junior Natalia Fullmer will be joined by freshman Harley Fullmer and Natalie Bowman, along with the double tandems of juniors Kyra Yamamoto and McKenna Frazier and freshman Olivia Goodfellow and Kali Martin.

The 2015 Division I-A Southern Region boys and girls individual tennis championship tournaments will begin Tuesday at the Darling Tennis Center in Las Vegas.

Contact Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Eagles control destiny

Back in the hunt for a league title, Boulder City High School baseball defeated The Meadows 5-4 behind some late-inning heroics.

Softball hits double-digit win streak

Extending their winning streak to 10 games, Boulder City High School softball routed Valley 15-0 on April 17.

Eagles have little trouble with top-ranked rival

Playing perhaps their toughest competition in the 3A, Boulder City High School boys volleyball showed why they’re still considered the favorite to capture their fifth consecutive state championship.

Eagles get it done on the mound, at the plate

Winning two out of three games this past week, Boulder City High School baseball advanced to 12-10 on the season.

Lady Eagles win ninth straight

Currently on a nine-game winning streak, Boulder City High School softball won a trio of games this past week to advance to 13-7 on the season.

Girls dominant in home track meet

Hosting a weekday meet, Boulder City High School girls track and field picked up a huge victory over 4A programs Desert Oasis and Rancho on April 1.

Lady Eagles pick up late win over Pahrump

Boulder City High School softball picked up a pair of impressive victories this past week, advancing to 10-7 on the season.

Champs still unbeaten in 3A play

Remaining undefeated in 3A play, Boulder City High School boys volleyball routed SLAM Academy 3-0 on April 2.

All for a good cause

Photos by Ian Cruz/Boulder City Review

Home-course edge helps Eagles soar

Competing at Boulder City Municipal on March 26, Boulder City High School boys golf defeated Pahrump Valley (359) and Canyon Springs (486).