For much of the fall, Canyon and Randall have been neck-and-neck atop the District tennis standings. Their first two showdowns were thrillers — a 10-9 Canyon squeaker followed by an 11-8 repeat performance — leaving little to separate the two Amarillo-area powerhouses. But on a crisp Saturday afternoon at the Rose Tennis Center in Abilene, the Eagles left no doubt who ruled Region I-4A.
In stunning fashion, Canyon dominated the Region I-4A finals with a 10-2 victory over Randall to advance to the UIL Class 4A State Team Tennis Tournament. The convincing win not only secured Canyon’s first trip to state since 2019, but it also served as a statement that the Eagles have emerged as one of the premier programs in Texas.
As is often the case in team tennis, doubles play set the tone. Both squads had found doubles success in their earlier meetings, but this time, Canyon flipped the script. The Eagles opened strong with victories in mixed doubles and the No. 1 boys doubles slot, immediately putting pressure on the Raiders.
Then came the breakthrough moment that seemed to ignite the entire team. The twin-sister tandem of Samantha and Kaylee Melear scored their first-ever win over Randall’s standout duo of Kynley Craddock and Emerson Daniels, winning 6-4, 6-2. That emotional victory gave Canyon a 3-1 lead and a surge of confidence they would never relinquish.
Momentum continued to build as Lawson Posey and Carter Neighbors pulled out a tense No. 3 boys doubles match, edging Eli Godwin and Keaton Daniels 6-4, 3-6, (10-7). Soon after, Hannah Terry and Hadlee House capped the doubles session with a super tiebreak victory, 10-5, over Abri Hays and Autumn Bell, giving Canyon a commanding 6-1 lead heading into singles play.
With that cushion, the Eagles needed just four more wins to punch their ticket to Waco. They wasted no time delivering. Top-line players Richardson and Schoenenberger each rolled to straight-set victories in the No. 1 and No. 3 singles spots, while Kaylee Melear, already flying high from her doubles triumph, cruised in the No. 3 girls position.
Needing just one more win to clinch, Canyon turned to Johnna Finke at No. 6 girls singles. The sophomore displayed poise beyond her years, defeating Emerson Daniels 6-3, 6-4 to seal the match and send her teammates rushing the court in celebration.
“This team has believed in each other all season,” Canyon coach [Coach’s Name] said. “We’ve had to grind out some close ones, but today everything came together. I couldn’t be prouder.”
The victory marks Canyon’s first trip to the state tournament in six years, their last appearance coming in 2019 when they fell to Fredericksburg. With the draw to be announced Sunday, the second-ranked Eagles know they’ll open play at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Waco Regional Tennis Center and Baylor University.
Armed with newfound confidence and a deep, balanced roster, the Eagles will look to continue their storybook run — and perhaps bring home the gold that eluded them six years ago.