Cody Jarrett and Hailey Opolot carry the distinction of the Harker Heights tennis team’s No. 1 singles players this fall season.
That’s not the only thing they have in common. Apparently, they think alike, too.
On separate occasions, without any hint of what the other said, Jarrett and Opolot weighed in on what helped the Knights reach the fall team tennis playoffs for the sixth time in eight seasons.
“Honestly, I think it’s just teamwork. And I think it’s stuff like hyping each other up, getting the energy up,” Jarrett said.
“I think it’s just been the teamwork and hyping each other up. Winning or losing, we are just there for our team,” echoed Opolot.
Well, that teamwork certainly was on display and the hype indeed apparent Tuesday during a Class 6A bi-district match versus Duncanville at Harker Heights.
The Knights landed the right shots at the right times on another hot afternoon and took an early 6-1 lead after doubles play in the race to 10 points, cruising to a 12-7 victory that sent them into the area round for the first time under the guidance of eighth-year head coach Mark Drake.
The Knights next will play Thursday against Tyler Legacy in Ennis.
“This team has played together for a long time,” the sophomore Jarrett said of booking a second-round trip. “It’s exciting to advance since it hasn’t happened in a few years. So, yeah, it’s big.”
And the home fans –– including parents, Harker Heights faculty and a few alumni –– watched it all unfold.
“It just makes it better,” Opolot said, noting the Knights red shirts that matched perfectly with the red backdrop surrounding the courts.
Jarrett and doubles partner Myck Tiglao won their match in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, and Caleb Turner and Xavier Tilmon (6-3, 6-3), Jacob Allison and Matthew Crawford (6-4, 6-2) followed suit in the boys portion.
Girls pairs of Opolot and Payton Thomas (6-4, 7-5) and Leilani Coulson and Soo Ann Lee (6-2, 6-4), plus the mixed doubles tandem of Soo Inn Lee and Stephanie Tirado (6-4, 6-0) also helped Heights build its lead.
The Knights maintained their edge when the contest moved into singles action, and Opolot, Payton Minnie, Tiglao, Allison, Tilmon and Turner secured points to seal the win.
For more photos of the Knights taking on the Panthers, visit KISD Communications on Flickr.
In other bi-district playoff results Monday, Ellison and Shoemaker saw their stellar seasons close. The Eagles fell against Corsicana in the 5A bracket in Robinson while the Grey Wolves were ousted from the 6A fray by Waxahachie. Juan Naranjo Gomez picked up a point for Shoemaker in its match.
