Statebound: Plano West, Highland Park Team Tennis

Highland Park and Plano West are one step closer to a state team tennis title. The top-ranked Scots (Class 4A) and top-ranked Wolves (Class 5A) won their respective regional tournaments and advanced to the 2008 UIL team tennis state tournament this weekend in the Austin area. Highland Park (18-0) earned its 21st state appearance losing just one match after beating Mesquite Poteet (10-0) in first-round play, Lindale (10-0) in the area round and Waco Midway (10-0) in the semifinal round. Richardson Pearce provided Highland Park its toughest test, losing 10-1 in the regional final. Plano West's road through the 5A Region I tournament proved a bit tougher. Plano West beat Coppell (10-0) in the first round and Lubbock Coronado (10-5) in area-round play and Abilene (10-4) in the semifinal round. Plano West topped Southlake Carroll, 10-4, in the regional final to improve to 24-2 on the year. Plano West will play Houston Clear Lake (19-1) in a 5A state semifinal at 1 p.m. Friday. The winner will face either New Braunfels (24-0) or Klein (24-2) for the championship at 9 a.m. Saturday Highland Park will play Wichita Falls Rider (19-4) in a 4A state semifinal at 9 a.m. Friday. The winner will take on either Boerne Champion (16-3) or Montgomery (18-12) at 9 a.m. Saturday in the finals.