Tennis: Game, set and match for McClure

Longtime Cy-Fair tennis coach Sylvia McClure led the Bobcats to a team tennis district championship last year, and a strong finish during the 2011 spring season, so for her, it was finally a good time to say goodbye.

After 28 total years as a head coach at Cy-Fair High school (first seven cross country-track and field, the final 21 tennis), McClure is ready to hand over the reins, and it wasn't an easy decision.

"We have some very good players coming back from a team that went 9-0 in district team tennis in 2010, and our girls doubles teams swept first and second place in 17-5A in the spring, and three of those four players are back, so it's going to be another strong year for Cy-Fair tennis," McClure said. "But it was the right time, and even though I'll miss it and especially the players, it was time to make the move."

Ross Gehlhausen, currently a teaching professional at the Copperfield Racquet and Health Club, is Cy-Fair's new coach, and McClure couldn't be more pleased with the selection.

"He's a true tennis person and player, and that makes me feel even more comfortable about everything," she said. "I met Ross at Copperfield, and after getting to know him, I know he's going to do a fantastic job."

Gehlhausen takes over as the Bobcats and Lady Bobcats move to their new courts that are part of the ongoing remodeling at Cy-Fair High School.

"Hey, I figured new courts and a new coach go pretty well together," said McClure, who was the first cross country coach to take the Lady Bobcats to the state meet in her early years at the school.

"There are so many great memories, and because of how well the players performed and how hard they worked last year, it was one of the best memories, and they allowed me to go out on top."

McClure played high school tennis at San Angelo Central and in college at Angelo State University, and captured a national doubles title in 1993 playing with current Smith Middle School assistant principal Bonnie Beachy.

"The game means so much to me, and I'm just so pleased it finished on a positive note, and the program has something to build on," McClure said.