SportzBuzz - August 2024 | The Buzz Magazines

By Todd Freed, Staff writer | July 27, 2024

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PROUD CHAMPIONS The St. Agnes Academy Tigers captured the TAPPS Division 1 State Softball Championship. The Tigers defeated Antonian College Prep 14-10 in the final to secure its first state softball title since 2019.

The past school year closed out in championship fashion for St. Agnes Academy, with the Tigers winning the TAPPS Division 1 State Softball Championship. The Tigers defeated Antonian College Prep 14-10 in the state final to secure their first state softball title since 2019. “I think it’s a long time coming for a senior class that was the catalyst in getting it all started,” said Tigers head softball coach Priscilla Riser. “The girls put in so much time and hard work and it’s just a deserving way to close out their careers.”

The state title victory was ignited by a sensational game from junior Mia Valenzuela, who connected on two home runs, a double, and even a triple in the win. “Mia is incredible not just at the plate but also on the field,” said Riser. “She made some amazing ESPN highlight type(s) of plays at shortstop. She’s just an impressive athlete.”

Impressive as well for the Tigers during the playoffs was the pitching tandem of senior Elyse Nesser and junior Caroline Croker, who started and closed out both games respectively at the state tournament. “Those two pitchers were one of the biggest keys to us winning state,” added Riser. “They threw exceptionally well in high-pressure situations.” In the state semifinal win over Plano John Paul II, Nesser and Croker combined to give up only one run in the Tigers 2-1 victory with Croker closing the game by striking out the final batter with two-outs and the bases loaded.

Prior to the dramatic finish in the top of the seventh inning, the Tigers rallied from a 1-0 deficit in its final at bat on the strength of an RBI single by Kyra Nguyen to score Julia Sullo followed by a heroic go-ahead and eventual game-winning home run from junior Sophia Deutschen.

Josephine Lombardi, Sabrina Blinderman, Ella Totz, and Emmy Brounes

STATE CHAMPS The Emery/Weiner School girls tennis team brought home a third straight TAPPS 5A State Championship this past season. The team included (pictured, from left) three-time state singles champion Josephine Lombardi, Sabrina Blinderman, Ella Totz, and Emmy Brounes. Blinderman and Totz teamed up to finish as state runner-up in doubles play.

Led by a remarkable third consecutive state singles championship from Josephine Lombardi, The Emery/Weiner School girls tennis team brought home its third straight TAPPS 5A State Championship. Along with Lombardi’s title victory, the Jaguars were also paced by a state runner-up finish in doubles by the tandem of sophomore Ella Totz and senior Sabrina Blinderman.

“Josephine is simply tireless and relentless on the court,” said her father and Jaguars tennis coach David Lombardi. “She just loves tennis and is truly self-motivated.” With her senior season still ahead of her, Lombardi is a five-star recruit who’s committed to playing collegiate tennis at Dartmouth. She also enters her senior year ranked among the top ten 18 and under girls’ tennis players in all of Texas.

Coach Lombardi also had high praise for the doubles duo of Totz and Blinderman. “This was the second straight year that Ella and Sabrina were state runner-up in doubles. They really wanted to pull it out but lost a tough third set tie-breaker. Still, we couldn’t have won state without them.”

Jack Zolas, Yosef Elyashkevich, Li, Meghan Kao, Lola Ballew, Christopher Langford, and Egor Morozov

SUPER SOPHOMORE Memorial Mustangs tennis player Michelle Li (pictured, third from left) capped off a spectacular sophomore season by winning the UIL 6A State Singles Championship. Pictured with Li are Memorial teammates Jack Zolas, Yosef Elyashkevich, Li, Meghan Kao, Lola Ballew, Christopher Langford, and Egor Morozov.

Keeping it on the tennis court, it was a remarkable season for Memorial High School’s Michelle Li, who captured the UIL Class 6A State Singles Championship. The Mustangs sophomore defeated Katy Taylor’s Ally Lin 6-1, 6-3 in the state finals to cap off a spectacular 20-0 season without dropping a single set along the way.

“My preparation leading into the state final really helped me,” said Li. “I’m just proud of myself and everyone who supported me through this journey. I couldn’t have done it without my parents, teammates, and coaches. It just proves that all the work paid off and I’m just really happy that I was able to win state.”

When you include her perfect 7-0 record during Team Tennis in the fall, Li’s overall record this past year was an undefeated 27-0. “She’s just a warrior and truly special,” said Memorial tennis coach Brian Mandell. “She’s amazingly dedicated to everything she does in tennis. It’s also really inspirational for our younger kids to see her grow and perform at this level.”

With two years of high school eligibility remaining, Li figures to be a force on the court for the foreseeable future. “I just hope to go out there and win more medals not only in singles but also with my teammates in doubles,” added Li.

Editor’s note: Todd Freed is the host and executive producer of H-Town High School Sports, which airs Saturday at 10:30 p.m. on CW39 and Monday-Thursday on AT&T SportsNet SW. To submit high school sports news for possible inclusion in SportzBuzz, please email [email protected].