The Bowie High School girls’ doubles tandem of Meagan Russell and Myah Russell was eliminated during the opening quarterfinal round of the University Interscholastic League tournament early Wednesday morning.
Megan Lee and Erin Cullers from East Bernard defeated the Russells by scores of 6-3, 7-6 (7-3 in the tie-breaker).
In turn, Lee and Cullers lost in the semifinals to eventual state champions Kelsey Mumford and Emily Wheeler of Lago Vista 6-4, 6-1.
Mumford and Wheeler bulldozed through Gracie Dozier and Sky Jennings of Sonora in the championship match 6-2, 6-0.
The boys’ singles match between Reese Cook of Tuscola Jim Ned and Jamison Burch from Whitesboro had yet to be played due to persistent rain delays at the Mitchell Tennis Center and Omar Smith Instructional Tennis Courts in College Station.
“It was exciting beyond measure,” Bowie head tennis coach David Hall said. “The girls are disappointed. But, they’ll always remember this experience. They gave it their best shot.”
Hall said the Russells battled nerves in the opening set. He said Lee and Cullers played smart, consistent tennis. Read more in the weekend Bowie News.

This was a magical season for Bowie’s Myah Russell (left) and Meagan Russell, becoming the first girls to qualify for the state tournament since 1982. The Russells lost in the opening round at state, they are shown here with head coach David Hall. (Courtesy photo)