×

PHS tennis out to defend regional titles

Photo by Joe Albright Parkersburg’s top seeded Jacob Boone returns a shot from George Washington’s Anthony McIntosh during last week’s Mountain State Athletic Conference Tournament.

PARKERSBURG — Jacob Boone offered a comical answer when asked the advantage of the Class AAA Region IV tennis tournament being hosted today and Thursday on the courts of Parkersburg City Park.

“You get more sleep and you don’t have to go far,” said Parkersburg High’s top-ranked male player.

After a smile, he focused and gave a serious reply. “We already know how our courts feel and we can mentally prepare better because we already know what to expect and how the wind plays since we are out here every day,” he said thoughtfully.

Smiles will be hard to come by as one of the most draining weeks in the tennis season has arrived after two months of warm-ups for this moment. Players now sweat and scramble to be among the few state tournament selections in each seeding bracket.

Tears will be shed at the same time tickets will be punched to next week’s final tournament over the course of the next two days at Parkersburg’s City Park. The Class AAA Region IV tournament kicks into full swing at noon.

West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission policy advances the top four No. 1 singles, top three No. 2 singles, and top two No. 3 singles players as well as the No. 4 regional champion from each region for the big bracket.

The top three No. 1 doubles teams, top two No. 2 doubles teams and No. 3 doubles champion also advance to the Charleston Catholic Athletic Facility Courts.

Parkersburg prepares for title defense in both the boys and girls groups. Jeff Olson and Heidi Asbury’s Big Reds qualified all spots but one doubles team for states last season on the way to a title plaque.

“It is within our reach to send all of our starting players back to the state tournament,” said Olson.

His words come even though a tall task stares down at the group who wishes to pull off the double repeat.

Parody oozes from the girls’ bracket as four of the state’s top five teams reside in the grouping. Hurricane, Cabell Midland, Parkersburg and Huntington all call Region IV home. Spring Valley, Ripley and Parkersburg South join the Mountain State Athletic Conference members.

“With some luck and good preparation the girls will have an opportunity,” said PHS head coach Jeff Olson. “The reality is it is what it is and you can’t change it.”

Competition doesn’t just span across the brackets but seems especially concentrated in the top seeds. The battle for the regional championship could be fierce and reach down through the fifth seed in No. 1 and No. 2 singles and doubles. Parkersburg top seed Bairavi Sundaram enters with an obvious goal in mind before adding to her expectations. “The goal is to qualify but I feel pretty confident in my ability to match up against everyone relatively well,” said Sundaram.

South girls’ head coach Lucy Holland was thrilled with the draw her No. 1 doubles team received. The coupling of Kendall Mader and Taya Davis, playing their first season together, has gelled quickly after losing last season’s doubles partners to graduation.

“It is different from being with my sister (Jordan) but Taya and I just clicked quite easily and quickly,” said Mader on the coupling. “We are best friends now on and off the court so it is nice to be able to be off the court with her and go right back on the court and have that tight relationship. We work well together.”

Performing well in the region was something the Cabell girls did all season against regional competition. Accomplishments showing following the seeding meeting.

The Knights were voted to every other top seed in the tournament outside of Hurricane’s Lexi Smolder claiming the top spot in the No. 1 bracket.

Cabell comes in on a high note after claiming the MSAC title last week. Cynthia Machmer’s group bested Hurricane by a single point. The Highlanders and Big Reds finished fourth and fifth.

Competition across the boys fields doesn’t come in quite the same mold as the girls.

Parkersburg’s young team largely took care of business in the regular season. The Big Reds were rewarded with all but two of the top seeds over the seven brackets. “Ultimately though it comes down to how well they play,” said Olson.

Huntington’s J.J. Mercer, barring injury, has already locked down the No. 1 singles regional title. He played shutdown tennis against his opponents for a fourth year in a row. Though his competition in the title match faces a rough time, the new state tournament format means the loser would not see Mercer again until the state final.

While the plan is to stay at City Park both days, threatening inclement weather may push the finals inside Thursday at the Greenmont Racquet Club and at the Marietta Tennis Center.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today