Pike Lib’s Amaia Vargas becomes first player in school history to make AHSAA State Tennis Tournament
Published 1:45 pm Thursday, April 17, 2025
- Pike senior Amaia Vargas has qualified for the state tennis tournament. (Pike Lib Athletics)
This week, Pike Liberal Arts School senior Amaia Vargas won the Sectional Tennis Tournament to become the first tennis player in school history to advance to the state tournament as a part of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA).
Both Vargas, left, and eighth grader Maggie James Brown, right, competed in the sectional finals this week. (Pike Lib Athletics)
Pike Lib coach Clay Lang, a graduate of Troy University, is in his fifth year at the helm and said he was proud of the way his entire team performed all season.
“I’m super proud of the work we got done and the improvement we made,” Lang said. “We lost five of our seven girls from last year’s team. So, coming into this season we didn’t really even know what it would look like and five of our seven this year had never started.
“We faced a lot of adversity going in and they handled it really well and battled and improved tremendously. We didn’t finish the season like we wanted to but we took a big step forward and we’re happy with the progress.”
Vargas ended the regular season undefeated in section play and, as a result, headed into Sectionals as the No. 1 overall seed. She earned a first round bye and then won her semifinal matchup against Prattville Christian 2-0, taking the first set 6-1 and winning the second set 6-0. Vargas then swept her way through the finals, as well, winning both sets 6-0 against Glenwood.
“I could not be more proud of Amaia,” said Lang. “She has worked so hard for four years for our team and this moment has been a long time coming for her and exactly how I think she wants to end her senior season. I’m so happy for her and proud of the work she has done.”
Additionally, Pike eighth grader Maggie James Brown entered the tournament as the No. 4 seed at Sectionals. She defeated Dadeville by sweeping both sets 6-0. In the semifinals, she won the first set against Northside Methodist 6-2 and then lost the second set 6-1 before taking the third set 10-4. Brown then fell in the finals to Glenwood 6-1 and 6-0 in two sets.
Butler now advances to the State Tennis Tournament in Mobile on Monday, April 21.
“I just want her to continue to be herself,” Lang said of Vargas. “There will be a lot of great players there, and the level of competition will certainly increase, but if she is confident, and plays her game, then I know she will do great.”
