UIL state tennis: Grapevine mixed doubles team, W.T. White's Brodie Keller start strong

Grapevine High tennis players Sara Gyorgy (left) and Noah Malin pose for a photo at their schools tennis courts in Grapevine, Texas, May 5, 2026. The two are heading to the state tennis tournament, competing in the Class 5A mixed doubles division. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

SAN ANTONIO -- A cold front pushed through overnight, dropping the temperature into the 60s and kicking up the wind. Hoodies, sweatpants and blankets became necessities during a time when shorts, sunscreen and shade-providing umbrellas are the norms.

Another version of the winds of change might also be in play.

Coppell's Lexie Patton, who has been on the cusp of winning a state championship during the previous three seasons, took a big step toward claiming the elusive prize. She and partner Gabrielle Rice had no trouble with Austin Westlake's Lucy McGarrahan and Charlotte Wernli, recording a 6-1, 6-0 decision Thursday in the quarterfinals of the UIL Class 6A doubles at the Northside ISD Tennis Center.

Patton, who is signed with Louisiana Tech, lost a three-set heartbreaker in the final in 2025, and in the state semifinals in 2024 in 6A singles, and in the semifinals of doubles in 2023. She teamed with Rice this season in doubles, and the senior duo looked in top form on Thursday, displaying a solid effort at the net and punishing groundstrokes. They won the final 10 games.

"I feel, for me, to really expand as a player, doubles would be a good option," said Patton, the first Coppell tennis athlete to advance to the state tournament in each of her four varsity seasons, on the move from singles. "Gabby really wanted to do doubles with me, and so I thought this would be perfect because I can both improve my game and play with one of my best friends."

Even the elements couldn't impact their dominance.