Tennis: Jana out to make most of first state trip

The University Interscholastic League State Tennis Tournament is next week in Austin, and Clear Falls sophomore Krishna Jana is out to make the most of his first appearance in Class 4A boys singles.

Jana is coming off a second place in 4A Region III, and Clear Falls coach Robbie Shelton thinks he's playing some of his best tennis of the season heading onto the big stage.

There are plenty of fresh faces in the 4A boys singles field with only one player returning for the 2010 state tournament, and a new champion will be crowned.

ABOUT THE EVENT

• What: 2011 UIL State Tennis Tournament

• When: Monday-Tuesday, May 9-10

• Where: University of Texas Penick-Allison Tennis Center (1701 Trinity, Austin 78705)

• What's at stake: Individual state titles and medals in boys and girls singles and doubles, and mixed doubles

• Admission: Students $5 and adults $10 per day, all-tournament ticket $18, coaches all-tournament $15

• More information/qualifiers/updates: www.uiltexas.org/tennis/state

4A BOYS

• Singles: Matches begin at 9 a.m., Monday, May 9, with these quarterfinal matchups — Sean Manning, New Caney vs. Russell Naumann, San Antonio Alamo Heights; Grant Adams, Texarkana Texas vs. Chris Norrie, Wichita Falls Rider; Connor Curry, Wichita Falls Rider vs. Avery Schober, Dallas Highland Park; Justin Archer, Austin Lake Travis vs. Krishna Jana, Clear Falls. ... Winners advance to semifinals at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 9. ... 4A singles state finals at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10.

STATE HIGHLIGHTS

• Boys: Like Krishna Jana, most of the other Class 4A boys singles qualifiers are making first trips to the state tournament with Adams the only one of the eight having advanced last season. Adams fell in the first round against eventual state champion and 2010 senior Daniel Brown of Montgomery ... Jana lost to Manning in the 4A Region III finals, and a rematch in the state finals would be just fine with both players ... The Penick-Allison Tennis Center is located just west of Interstate 35. Exit E. 15th Street and turn left, and then right on Trinity. You will see the facility on the right near the middle of the block ... Class A, 2A and 3A state tennis is Monday and Tuesday, May 9-10, at the World of Tennis at Lakeway near Austin.