The Italy Tennis team tests their skills during Rice invitational

Image: Kevin Roldan leaps high to return the volley — Italy’s Kevin Roldan elevates his level of play during the Rice Invitational tennis meet held at the Mertz Tennis Park in Corsicana on Saturday. Italy used the event to better prepare for the upcoming district meet.

Kevin Roldan leaps high to return the volley — Italy’s Kevin Roldan elevates his level of play during the Rice Invitational tennis meet held at the Mertz Tennis Park in Corsicana on Saturday. Italy used the event to better prepare for the upcoming district meet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Representing — Italy High School seniors, Molly Haight and Shelbi Gilley, team up for tennis doubles.

Representing — Italy High School seniors, Molly Haight and Shelbi Gilley, team up for tennis doubles. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Germanator — Lisa Olschewsky displays her serving form she has been work hard at improving since last season.

The Germanator — Lisa Olschewsky displays her serving form she has been work hard at improving since last season. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sweet serve — Italy’s Kaytlyn Bales serves up disaster for opposing players.

Sweet serve — Italy’s Kaytlyn Bales serves up disaster for opposing players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Nice approach — Jessica Hernandez makes a strong showing in both of her singles matches.

Nice approach — Jessica Hernandez makes a strong showing in both of her singles matches. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lopez attacks — Hustling senior, Jacob Lopez, is one of Italy’s top singles players.

Lopez attacks — Hustling senior, Jacob Lopez, is one of Italy’s top singles players. (Barry Byers)

Image: Lisa improves her game — Lisa Olschewsky played two rounds of tennis on Saturday with her best performance coming in round two against Malakoff.

Lisa improves her game — Lisa Olschewsky played two rounds of tennis on Saturday with her best performance coming in round two against Malakoff. (Barry Byers)

Image: Into the swing of things — Sierra Harris has found her calling as a singles tennis player.

Into the swing of things — Sierra Harris has found her calling as a singles tennis player. (Barry Byers)

Image: On the move — Italy’s Jacob Lopez works the baseline against Rice.

On the move — Italy’s Jacob Lopez works the baseline against Rice. (Barry Byers)

Image: Bring it — Melissa Smithey waits for the serve.

Bring it — Melissa Smithey waits for the serve. (Barry Byers)

Image: On the rise — Drenda “Air” Burk made play after play in Corsicana. Burk, along with Jessica Garcia, competed in the JV Championship match.

On the rise — Drenda “Air” Burk made play after play in Corsicana. Burk, along with Jessica Garcia, competed in the JV Championship match. (Barry Byers)

Image: Playing to strengths — Melissa Smithey does her most damage at the net for Italy.

Playing to strengths — Melissa Smithey does her most damage at the net for Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Holden has game — Jase Holden lunges for a cross-court shot.

Holden has game — Jase Holden lunges for a cross-court shot. (Barry Byers)

Image: Above the net — Zain Byers attempts a high-flying spike against Wortham during JV doubles competition.

Above the net — Zain Byers attempts a high-flying spike against Wortham during JV doubles competition. (Barry Byers)

Image: I got it! — Kevin Roldan reaches back for the lob.

I got it! — Kevin Roldan reaches back for the lob. (Barry Byers)

Image: Optical illusion? — Cole Hopkins, all 6’6" of him, makes the tennis court seem like a miniature model as he dominates the net.

Optical illusion? — Cole Hopkins, all 6’6" of him, makes the tennis court seem like a miniature model as he dominates the net. (Barry Byers)

Image: Take that! — Italy’s Jase Holden keeps the volley going.

Take that! — Italy’s Jase Holden keeps the volley going. (Barry Byers)

Image: Victory is served — Zain Byers tries to put pressure on Wortham with his deceptive serve.

Victory is served — Zain Byers tries to put pressure on Wortham with his deceptive serve. (Barry Byers)

Image: He’s a natural — Cruz Enriquez is a natural tennis player and competed extremely well during the Rice Invitational.

He’s a natural — Cruz Enriquez is a natural tennis player and competed extremely well during the Rice Invitational. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jessica has skills — Jessica Garcia helps her doubles partner, Drenda Burk, reach the JV Championship match.

Jessica has skills — Jessica Garcia helps her doubles partner, Drenda Burk, reach the JV Championship match. (Barry Byers)

Image: Power ball — Italy’s Alyssa Richards is a force at the net in tennis doubles.

Power ball — Italy’s Alyssa Richards is a force at the net in tennis doubles. (Barry Byers)

Image: Court diva — Jessica Hernandez returns a shot during her singles match.

Court diva — Jessica Hernandez returns a shot during her singles match. (Barry Byers)

Image: Maximum effort — Alyssa Richards leaves it all on the court each and every match.

Maximum effort — Alyssa Richards leaves it all on the court each and every match. (Barry Byers)

Image: Cody Medrano — IHS Freshman, Cody Medrano, shows great promise as a tennis player.

Cody Medrano — IHS Freshman, Cody Medrano, shows great promise as a tennis player. (Barry Byers)

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