El Paso to be well represented at UIL state tennis tourney
Five El Paso high school tennis players will compete on Thursday and Friday at the UIL State Tennis Tournament in San Antonio.
Here is a look at the five who will compete.
Daniela Ocaranza, El Paso High, Class 5A
The senior is making her second straight trip to state after winning the District 1-5A title and placing second at the Region I-5A tourney.
"I'm looking forward to state, it's another opportunity to compete against the very best in the state," Ocaranza said. "I learned a great deal from last year's trip to state, and I believe that can help me."
She will face Jenny Su of Corpus Christi Veterans Memorial in the quarterfinals Thursday.
Maximus Martin, El Paso High, Class 5A
Martin is making his first trip to state after winning both District 1-5A and Region I-5A titles.
"This year has been special," Martin said. "I won my first ever matches at regionals, and I'm playing well. My confidence has grown so much. I just want to go to state and continue to compete at a high level. Daniela going to state again is big for our program and she's helped me get prepared."
Martin will face Matteo Mejia of Prosper Walnut Grove in the quarterfinal round.
Makenzie Baptist, Coronado, Class 6A
In her freshman season, Baptist had a phenomenal season — winning the District 1-6A title and placing second at the Region I-6A Tourney.
"I've been playing tennis for about four or four and a half years, and the sport is one I've grown to love," Baptist said. "I've learned so much and grown as a player. My serve helped get me through the regionals, but my forehand has been a strength. I'm excited for state, it was a goal of mine to get to this point. I can't wait to compete."
Baptist will face Ahona Chowdury of Conroe The Woodlands in the quarterfinal round.
Ayden Fraire/Karina/Lee, Franklin, Class 6A
The mixed doubles team had quite the 2023-24 school year. They helped the program to the first district team title in more than 25 years in the fall and a trip to the Region I-6A semifinals.
Now the duo are headed to the state tourney as a mixed doubles team for the first time.
"We have a good chemistry together," Fraire said. "We've played as a team all season and in the postseason, we've stepped up."
Fraire and Lee will play Gabriel Segubiense/Elizabeth Shu of Fort Bend Clements in the quarterfinal round.
"The whole school year has been good for the program," Lee said. "Going into state, we're playing well as a doubles team, we have confidence in each other."
UIL Tennis Info
The tourney will be held at the Blossom Tennis Center and Annemarie Tennis Center.
The El Paso players will compete at the Annemarie Tennis Center. A one-day pass is $15 (Age 2+ will need to purchase a ticket), an all-tourney pass is $25 and tickets are to be sold online only).
The online tickets are available for purchase here: Click Here
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Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @FChavezeptimes on X
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Meet the five El Paso high school tennis players going to state
