Make no mistake: The Class 5A Region IV tournament can serve as a simmering welcome to big-time high school team tennis for the uninitiated.

Teammates stomp their feet and howl exhortations while rotating courts as competition dictates, a hungry horde searching for that 10th point. Normally sedate parents get caught up in the wave of passion, and the players on the court feed on the energy like a shark does fish.

“It’s kind of different,” said Sydney Young, one of six freshman girls on Westlake’s team. “You can’t really talk at a [United States Tennis Association] match or cheer for your teammates, and here, you can cheer for anyone you want whenever you want.”

For a Westlake team with nine freshman overall, the experience may seem akin to tossing a child with a stick into a den of hungry lions.

But these Chaps are no ordinary kids, and those sticks serve aces and fire forehands.

“We’ve been focusing on what regionals will be like all week,” Westlake coach Kim Riley said. “It’s a big adjustment to make because USTA events are quiet. You might just have Mom or Dad clapping for you.

“We try to visualize it, what will it look like when there’s a bunch of people who just hate your guts out there cheering against you. But these kids have handled it all year. I’m sure they handle [the pressure of regionals] just fine.”

Westlake, 18-0 and ranked fourth in the state by the Texas Tennis Coaches Association, carries an unusual but effective team makeup into the regional tournament at Corpus Christi’s H-E-B Tennis Center, which runs from Thursday through Saturday. Westlake’s boys – headed by four-year varsity letter winners Alex Durham and Russell Bader – bring a wealth of veteran savvy into the event.

Westlake’s girls have more skills than seasoning, with six freshmen playing pivotal roles for the Chaps. In theory, the pressure of performing at the most challenging regional tournament in the state would rattle the bones and shake the nerves, right?

“I think it’s fun,” Meredith Hopson said. “You have people cheering you on, and you’re part of a team. It’s why we play [high school] tennis.”

Hopson headlines the freshman girls contingent, playing on the top doubles and singles line. She is the first Chap – boy or girl – to play on the top line since Stephen Shields in 2002. She has yet to lose a match in singles play, and her consistency has solidified the team and helped Westlake reach its potential during the regular season, said Riley.

“If you would have told me two months ago that not only would I put a freshman at No. 1 singles, but that she’d win every match going into regionals, I’d say your crazy,” Riley said. “But all the freshman have been great, including Meredith.”

Young teamed with Raina Kishan on the second doubles line during Westlake’s win at the District 25-5A tournament two weeks ago, and Allie Carlisle and Jessica Clouse each provide steady options in both singles and doubles play.

Casey Sutton, who just joined the Chaps this month, picked up points in singles play and mixed doubles action at the district tournament.

Like Hopson, all the other freshmen have spent years learning the game in the competitive albeit staid environment of USTA tennis.

“The freshmen are real spunky but pretty seasoned,” Riley said. “Our seniors will show them the way a little, but I’m confident that they can hold their own.”

The finals should feature the Chaps and top-ranked New Braunfels, if the tournament holds form. Two of the most accomplished programs in Texas will meet with one spot at the state tournament on the line. Last season, the Unicorns ended Westlake’s reign as state champions with a 10-2 win. Now, the Chaps seek to knock New Braunfels off the throne.

“We have a shot a winning the tournament,” Hopson said, her modesty reflecting a calm court demeanor. “We just have to play smart and give our best effort.”

One of her more fiery teammates spoke a little more bluntly about the unbeaten Unicorns, who most tennis followers have labeled as a favorite to repeat as champions.

“There’s nothing negative to say about New Braunfels, because they’re good,” Young said. “But we have a good shot. I’d say its 50-50 that we win.”