Excitement building for Mustang tennis

By L. SCOTT HAINLINE
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
One of Shonda Majors' favorite topics is her Houston Christian tennis team, and when she talks about the 2010 Mustangs, the excitement is contagious.
We have several of our top players back, so we're ready to get going," she said, and now, if the weather will cooperate, we're prepared to get to work."
Senior Chad Reeter and sophomore Eric Hopper return after placing third in the state in TAPPS Class 5A boys doubles last year, and the resounding goal to win it all.
We sat down and I offered them the opportunity to play singles, but they made the decision to stay together," Majors said. They went undefeated in district and at regionals, and they feel confident about going all the way to the finals and winning."
In singles, Reeter advanced to the round of 16 as a freshman, and the state quarterfinals as a sophomore, and he wants to wrap up his career with a state championship playing beside Hopper.
It's his last chance, and he and Eric are extremely motivated," Majors said.
Junior Ty Webre has shifted to singles after reaching the state quarterfinals in doubles last season, and the Mustangs also bring back lettermen in senior Jud Webre, juniors Zack Dotson, Joseph Pidala and Corbin Welch, and sophomore Ryan Reeter from the 2009 state runner-up squad.
Majors also looks for newcomers like freshman Wes Rutherford and senior Patrick Vry to challenge for top spots.
The Lady Mustangs have postseason experience in the doubles teams of junior Priya Chacko and sophomore Westleigh Cutts (2009 state quarterfinalists), and juniors Morgan Long and Erin Miller (region qualifiers), and freshman transfer Hope Johnson steps in at No. 1 singles after coming over from Spring Branch Memorial.
Another freshman, Joyce Shaheen, will join Johnson in the singles draws throughout the season.
The Lady Mustangs finished second in district and fourth at regionals last year.
Houston Christian has 4 p.m. home matches with John Cooper on Tuesday and St. Thomas on Thursday.
The weather sort of knocked us around early on, so everyone is ready to get out there and play," said Majors, who is is her fourth season with the program. We're hoping for sunshine, warm temperatures and dry courts."