Athena Gomez and Jaslyn Pacheco advancement to the Class 4A regional tennis tournament was a feat that hadn’t accomplished since the 2018 season by a Fort Stockton girls doubles team.

After placing second at the Prowlers’ district meet on April 2, the duo continued their momentum in the first round at Fort Stockton’s regional tennis meet in Lubbock on April 14.

Gomez and Pacheco downed the district champion team from San Elizario in a three-set match (6-4, 0-6, 6-2) to advance to the regional quarterfinal.

“Going in as the district runner-up, we knew we would have to face a district champion, but they didn’t let that shy them away from playing to their best potential,” Fort Stockton head coach Victor Garcia said. “Drawing a previous opponent out San Eli, we knew it was going to be a battle and the match definitely was that.”

The duo had their season come to an end in the quarterfinals against the No. 4 seed from Argyle.

Garcia said that the duo raised the bar once again for the tennis program and should be proud of their accomplishments.

“I’d like to congratulate Athena Gomez and Jaslyn Pacheco on a great season. All year they have been the most consistent team with multiple medals on the year with the highest being second place in Big Spring and when it really counted at the district tournament,” he said. “They were the first team since 2019 to make regionals and first female team since 2018.”