PHS pair finishes in second

HOBBS — Portales senior Emily Walker and junior Jessie Privett reached the doubles finals before losing to a Hobbs tandem in Friday's Paul Baker Invitational tennis tournament.

Nine schools participated, plus a junior varsity squad from Hobbs, with each having two singles and two doubles entries in boys and girls competition. Team scores were combined for boys and girls, with no final totals available, although New Mexico Military finished first and Hobbs second.

Walker and Privett posted three wins, including a three-set victory over Kaelee White and Liz Melot of Hobbs in the semifinals, before falling to another Hobbs tandem, Amber Seay and Caitlin Dennis, 6-0, 6-1 in the finals.

No other PHS entries reached the semifinals, although senior Mychael Sturm and sophomore Austin Lucero posted a pair of wins, including a play-in match, before losing in the boys quarterfinals. Sophomore Nathan Van Dam advanced the boys singles quarterfinals with a straight-sets win over a Hobbs opponent, while sophomore Samantha Lopez managed an 8-6 victory over a Las Vegas Robertson opponent in girls singles consolation play.

The Rams and Lady Rams begin District 4-3A action on Tuesday when they host Lovington in a 3 p.m. start.