The Corley twins’ prep tennis success is both familiar and familial

In its current form, the number is seven.

Five singles state championships, two doubles titles. And this week, the Corleys can add to their already extensive first-place medal haul.

An Albuquerque family that has already had one spectacular success in high school tennis may be looking for more riches when Eldorado sophomore twins Vianca and Vivica enter the state singles and doubles tournament.

Vianca is the number one player in Class 5A singles. Vivica qualifies in singles with partner Addison Arndt; they are ranked 4th in the 5A quads. Singles and doubles action begins on Wednesday.

The twins hope to continue the tradition under the roof that started with older sisters Ivana and Carmen. Ivana won three state singles titles at Eldorado (2015, 2016, 2018). Carmen won the pair in 2017 and 2019. And both won state singles in different years, though not as partners.

“There’s a lot of pressure to win state,” said Vianca Corley, “just trying to make sure we match what they did when they played.”

Ivana and Carmen are the University of Oklahoma’s seventh-ranked NCAA doubles tandem in the nation and are expected to appear later this month at the NCAA tournament in Orlando, Florida. Carmen could still play a COVID year with the Sooners in 2024, and apparently the two are inclined to turn pro together when they finish their college careers.

It may or may not be in the cards for Vianca and Vivica to study at university and turn professional, but they are already making noise in Eldorado.

They didn’t compete as freshmen in high school. But earlier this season, each won their sets 1 and 2 at the APS Singles tournament. And they both say their older sisters have been strong role models for them growing up in tennis.

“I wanted to try (high school) because it looks like fun,” said the left-handed Vivica, the older twin by a minute. “Last year we couldn’t because we didn’t have much time.”

Players can qualify for state in individual singles or doubles, but not both. Like their older sisters, Vivica and Vianca (who is right-handed) choose not to face each other in the singles tournament.

Next year, Vianca said she will try to qualify for state in doubles, while Vivica will play singles in the district, which is a state qualifier. They said they plan to play singles together at state when they are seniors.

Ivana and Carmen followed a similar path when they were Eagles; they constantly avoided meeting as solo players.

“I’d like to live up to what they did, so I’d like to try to win state and keep the legacy,” Vivica Corley said. “I’m inspired to be as good as them.”

Vianca Corley’s road to a possible singles championship was made a lot smoother when two-time Class 5A state champion Cameron King of La Cueva decided to try to qualify for state in doubles.

“I think as long as I play my game,” Vianca said, “I can have a pretty good chance. It just depends.”

NOTES: The singles and doubles championship matches are Thursday afternoon at Jerry Cline Fields at I-25 and Louisiana. … Philip Bosin of Eldorado is the overwhelming favorite in 5A boys singles. He was last year’s state champion. The Eagles have won the large school singles championship in six consecutive seasons, except for 2020, when the season was canceled due to the pandemic. … La Cuevan’s King and Stephanie Romero, who lost to King in last year’s 5A state singles final, are the No. 1 girls doubles team in 5A this week. … The state team competition is Friday and Saturday. … The Albuquerque Academy boys, the No. 1 team in Class 1A-4A, are chasing their 20th consecutive Blue Trophy.