Wylie tennis returns to state, with longtime coach Mark Hathorn back on the bench
It's the Bulldogs' third straight trip to state. They faced A&M Consolidated in the 5A semifinal.
SchoolsWylie's team tennis squad made the UIL state tournament for the third season in a row. The Bulldogs played A&M Consolidated in the 5A semifinals on Oct. 21, with the winner going to the final the next day.
The team's experience includes Mark Hathorn, one of the best-known names in Abilene tennis. Hathorn was ACU's No. 1 singles and doubles player in his last two seasons there, played from 1980 to 1984, and coached at McMurry for 17 years before moving to Wylie. He retired, then came back as an assistant coach.
Wylie's tennis success goes back well before this run. Hathorn's three daughters all played for Wylie, and he counts nine state championships with them. A granddaughter is now playing too.
Hathorn said the program's motto is 'humble and kind': compete as hard as you can, then shake hands and say 'good match.'
