Selected by Staff Writer Damon L. Sayles based on regular-season and postseason performance.

Casey Powers envisioned back-to-back state doubles championships at the beginning of the season. After winning the 4A title with Max Stevens in straight sets in 2006, he knew, with a year of state tournament experience, they would be tough to stop.

A conflict with a tournament in California, however, forced Powers, a TCU signee, to play singles instead of doubles in district competition.

"I hadn't played a lot of singles early," Powers said. "At state, I honestly didn't know who was playing. I just knew there was going to be a lot of tough comp in doubles.

"The only person I knew playing singles was Zach Nichols, and that's because we're both going to TCU."

Powers and Nichols, a Lake Travis senior, met up in the state final. Powers lost, 7-5, 6-4, but he never hung his head. He had played singles in all of four tournaments.

Three of the tournaments were for district, regional and state competition.

"I still felt like I'd get to state, but I knew it wouldn't be easy," Powers said. "I'm not disappointed because I gave my best. I was probably more disappointed because I was so close. I could see the finish line."

Powers said the switch to singles competition on the state level made him more of a versatile player. He mixes a strong baseline game with excellent net skills.

Powers is hoping his versatility leads to a successful career at TCU.

"Playing college tennis is going to be exciting," he said. "It's going to be a different kind of challenge, but I'm ready to meet that challenge."

Notable: Class 4A state finalist

About Powers: Powers, a TCU signee, was this year's 4A Region II singles champion. He owned a 13-2 record for the season. He was a 4A state doubles champion in 2006 with Max Stevens.

Did you know? He was born in Monaco, and French was his first language.

Carson Kadi, Coppell, Jr.

Notable: Class 5A state semifinalist

About Kadi: Kadi, a move-in from New Orleans, became Coppell's first boys tennis player to qualify for state. Kadi qualified for state competition in boys doubles twice in Louisiana.

Did you know? "I can dunk. I'm about 5-7, and it's hard to do, but I've done it."

CARROLLTON NEWMAN SMITH, SR.

Notable: Class 5A state semifinalist

About Dobbs: Dobbs, an Idaho signee, made his second trip to state. Dobbs was the 5A Region II runner-up this year. He won the Region II championship last year.

Did you know? "One of my favorite hobbies is fishing. I just got into it."

PLANO, JR.

Notable: Class 5A state quarterfinalist

About Sheikh: Sheikh played doubles with Daniel Hwang last season and lost to eventual 5A state champs Stuart Keplar and Nick Plum. Sheikh lost a three-set match to Andrew Dobbs in singles play this year.

Did you know? "My first cousin was the first Persian football player in the NFL, [kicker] Ali Haji-Sheikh."

IRVING NORTH HILLS, SR.

Notable: Class 2A state finalist

About Siu: Siu is North Hills' only state medal winner in the school's two-year history. He won a bronze medal in last year's state tournament.

Did you know? "I game a lot on the computer. My favorite, right now, is Counter-Strike."

KAUFMAN, SR.

Notable: Class 3A state finalist

About Smith: Smith, who has committed to play for Tyler Junior College, made his second trip to state. Smith was the 3A Region II champion. His older brother, Connor, won a 3A state title in 2003.

Did you know? "I am an artist. I won a contest where my artwork's going to hang in the capitol building in Washington."

RICHARDSON PEARCE

Notable: Class 4A state champions

About them: Keplar (Pepperdine-bound) and Plum (Weber State) became the first team in 11 years to win three consecutive doubles championships. They won 5A titles in 2005 and 2006.

Key to their success: "We used our school coaches [Jim Morrison and Sammi Gunter] and private coaches [Craig O'Shannesy and Lance Hagan] and got input from them." – Keplar

SOUTHLAKE CARROLL

Notable: Class 5A state semifinalist

About them: Hayes and Nottoli became the first Carroll team to qualify for state since Carroll became a 5A school in 2002. Hayes is headed to Texas, while Nottoli is going to Baylor.

Key to their success: "It was our experience overall. We played a lot of matches against good teams." – Hayes

ARLINGTON BOWIE

Notable: Class 5A state semifinalist

About them: Last year's 5A mixed doubles champions lost to eventual state champs Lauren Sanacroce and Jonathan Alexander from Klein. Cooper played in her fourth state tournament, and Lateko played in his second.

Key to their success: "I think it was our determination to win and our experience of playing tennis." – Lateko

FRISCO CENTENNIAL

Notable: Class 4A state finalist

About them: Chermel and Roy were paired halfway through the spring season and went undefeated all the way to the state tournament. Chermel has signed with North Texas.

Key to their success: "We worked hard outside high school tennis. We got along outside the court and communicated well with each other." – Chermel

Notable: Five of his players won 4A medals at state.

About Holden: In six seasons, Holden has coached 10 individual state champions. He was named the Texas Tennis Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2006.

Did you know? "I love to read historical books. I'm an amateur historian."