Published: May 07, 2008 02:51 pm            

Godley mixed doubles team falls in state semifinals

AUSTIN — The defending Class 2A mixed doubles state champions were too much to handle for Godley’s James Crutchley and Cortney McFarlin on Tuesday morning, as Kendra Casey and Jake Russ of Franklin High School advanced to the finals with a 6-0, 6-2 victory.

“I thought they played really well,” Godley head coach Debbie McFarlin said. “They started coming on strong in the end and they didn’t give up and fought for every last point.”

This is the third consecutive year that Godley has sent a mixed doubles pair to Austin, and Debbie McFarlin brought her younger players along for the ride, saying she hoped watching Crutchley and Cortney McFarlin compete in state would inspire them to reach the same goals.

The Wildcat duo won their first point of the day in the second set by breaking Russ’ serve to close the gap to 4-1.

The two teams held their next serve each to put the score at 5-2 before Franklin put Godley away for good. A return shot by McFarlin sailed long to give the match and championship-game berth to Casey and Russ, who defeated Colby and Molly Welsh of Peaster High School 6-1, 6-1 in the title game last year.

Casey and Russ won the state championship later in the day

The step up in quality of competition was obvious to the contingent of Godley fans who made the trip to the Penick-Alison Tennis Center and the players on the court.

“They didn’t miss much at all,” Cortney McFarlin said after the match.

“They never blinked,” Crutchley said. “They’re good.”

Coming into the state championships, Debbie McFarlin said the team’s goal was to come back to Godley with a medal.

The semifinal appearance ensured bronze medals for the two seniors.

“We got what we came for, so we have a medal and we’ll take them home,” Crutchley said, with Cortney McFarlin nodding in agreement.

        

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