Class AAA regional tennis returns to City Park

PHS, South, Ripley have work cut out for them

PARKERSBURG -- Postseason tennis is back in Parkersburg.

The Class AAA Region IV tournament kicks off at City Park today alongside the race for slots in next week's state tournament.

Battling for the chance at the ultimate prize – a state championship – are netters representing Cabell Midland, Huntington, Hurricane, Lincoln County, Parkersburg, Parkersburg South, Ripley and Spring Valley.

"It is exciting after going one year without having tennis," PHS head coach Jeff Olson said.

But, it won't end in smiles for everyone – only a few of those players will make their goal a reality.

Spots in Charleston are scarce, after all.

Players in the No. 1 seed singles bracket must finish in one of the top four spots, No. 2 players need to be in the top three, No 3 players need to reach the finals, and only one lucky No. 4 player will advance.

Similarly, No. 1 doubles duos require a top three placing. No. 2 doubles must reach the championship match, while only the No. 3 doubles winner advances.

Yet, there comes a catch in the region featuring many of the top teams in the Mountain State Athletic Conference.

"Once again, it is horrible to be in Region IV, because in my mind, I believe the top teams are all four in this region," he said. "And then George Washington is a top team as well, and it definitely gives them a leg up, because they play in a region without the same level of competition. And it is going to be really, really difficult both on the boys and girls side to get out of this region."

How hard?

Well, 2021 MSAC champions in the Huntington boys along with the Huntington and Hurricane girls are in.

On top of that, three of the top players in the state in the Higlanders' AJ Mercer, the Redskins' Lexi Smolder, and Cabell Miland's Hanley Riner fill out spots in the No. 1 fields.They make the challenge, well, all the more challenging.

Those lucky few who manage to avoid any of them in the opening rounds may see their runs come to an end later in the bracket. But, Parkersburg's Jacob Boone has a good approach for any competitor.

"You just try to make a plan for each match and not stress over anything too much," he said.

Action begins at 9 a.m. where it continues through the completion of the first 73 matches. Everything then picks up on Wednesday at 9 a.m. with the semifinals and eventually the finals.

"I am looking forward to seeing how we perform," Olson said. "Hopefully, we can get through the day with some good results. I want everyone to play their best and if they play their best we have a good shot at sending a lot of people to the state tournament. At the same time, if we don't play up to our capability then I don't have a feeling we are sending very many."