Statesman calls it a Dynasty

Westwood high school tennis coach Travis Dalrymple, a 2000 graduate of the school, returned to his alma mater 11 years ago and proceeded to create a dynasty in the Round Rock school district.

The Warriors' tennis team has since ruled the district, claiming a district title in 10 consecutive years during the fall's team tennis competition. The squad was also expected to have a few players contend for a spot at the spring tennis tournament before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the spring season.

Westwood has captured all 10 regional-qualifying spots out of District 13-6A in each of the past two seasons, and this spring looked no different.

"Tennis is a true year-round sport," Dalrymple said. "We play in a team scoring format in the fall and then in singles and doubles in the spring, and the team members then play in club and make their own tournaments in the summer."

Tennis is one of the few sports where practice time, individually, has not been impacted as greatly as other sports by the pandemic, said Dalrymple.

"Playing singles tennis is certainly maintaining social distance," he said. "The kids are able to play by arriving at the courts and staying apart. The actual play is a good outlet and keeps them in shape."

While the Westwood team boasts a bevy of strong players, including 2017 Class 6A singles champion Kiana Graham, it is the academics that brings a special pride to Dalrymple.

According to the coach, 28 of Westwood's 30 tennis players have earned academic all-district honors this past school year.

"And the other two are really, really close," Dalrymple said. "The students play hard at practice and in matches, but they really have a pride in their classroom success as well. They understand that an education is key to your future."

This past school year, Westwood's team tennis went 17-2 , losing by 10-9 scores to No. 2 Plano West and No. 3 Amarillo. The loss to Plano West came in the Class 6A Region II finals, which prevented the Warriors from returning to the state tournament and defending their Class 6A title.

Westwood defeated multiple other top 10 teams in 2019, including Allen 11-8, The Woodlands 12-7, Westlake 10-3, Lake Travis 14-5, A&M Consolidated 17-2 and Georgetown 12-3 before the wrenching loss to Plano West.

"We were up on (Plano West), but they got us on a couple of late breaks and beat us," Dalrymple said. "Our kids were looking forward to the spring, but that didn't happen."

Now, like everyone else, Dalrymple is looking forward to the next school year and a chance to extend Westwood's dynasty in a revamped District 25-6A.