AUSTIN — A year’s worth of experience made a world of difference for Will Stein.

The Argyle junior won the Class 3A boys singles title at the UIL state tennis tournament on Tuesday at World of Tennis at Lakeway.

Will Stein

It was the first state title in the history of the tennis program at Argyle.

Stein did not lose a set during any of his three matches at the two-day tournament. He topped Robinson’s Tucker Mueck in the final, 6-3, 6-1.

It marked a significant improvement from a year ago for Stein, who lost in the state quarterfinals. This time, Stein said he was able to use that experience under pressure to his advantage.

“I didn’t let all the elements affect me like I did last year. I dealt with it a lot better,” Stein said. “After the first set of each match, I was able to settle down a little bit.”

After cruising to the Class 3A Region I title last month, Stein kept his momentum during the first match at state, when he didn’t lose a point until the fifth game of a match against West Columbia’s Ryan Beene on Monday. He went on to win, 6-0, 6-0.

“I think that kind of got things rolling,” Stein said.

In the semifinals later Monday, Stein gained revenge against Silsbee’s Matthew Deaver, who eliminated Stein last year, 6-4, 6-1.

In Tuesday’s final, Stein said he was able to keep himself relaxed and focused even as Mueck had a significant advantage in crowd support.

He hopes the state title will help the tennis program at Argyle continue to grow. The Eagles had four players at the state tournament this year, tied with Abilene Wylie for the most of any 3A program.

In addition to Stein, freshman Maddie Schorlemmer lost in the quarterfinals in girls singles, and the doubles team of Andrea Beathard and Lacy Blake fell in the semifinals.

“It’s pretty cool when you have that many people going to state,” Stein said. “We’re definitely on the rise and making good progress.”

Krum duo falls in final

The Krum mixed-doubles pairing of Daniel Atterberry and Afton Barter lost in the Class 2A state title match on Tuesday. The pair lost in straight sets to Jake Russ and Kendra Casey of Franklin, 6-1, 6-1.

They advanced to the final with a pair of wins on Monday. Krum defeated Centerville’s Michael Gwosdz and Kelsey Lagrone, 6-0, 7-6, in the quarterfinals. Atterberry and Barber returned later and knocked off Lexington’s Ben Spencer and Ally Abshire, 7-6, 6-2.

Boys golf

Krum takes fifth at state

AUSTIN — Krum finished in fifth place in the Class 2A team standings at the UIL state golf tournament on Tuesday at Roy Kizer Golf Course.

The Bobcats shot a two-day total of 338-335—673 on the par-71 course. Salado won the team title with a 606, which was 27 shots ahead of runner-up Sonora.

Krum senior Klay Dodd tied for fourth individually with a 78-74—152. Dodd was nine shots behind Salado’s Ryan O’Rear, who shot a tournament low round of 70 on Tuesday.

Other scores for Krum included Tyler Walker (86-82—168), Drew Wheeler (80-92—172), Luke Miller (94-87—181) and Evan Barksdale (95-101—196).