Parkersburg’s Lakyn Campbell smashes a return to teammate Simon Strobl as the pair practice in a singles match for the state tournament. Campbell, who is the top seed for the Big Reds, begins what is hoped to be a treacherous climb to the state finals when she faces off with Washington’s Madison Vickers in her opening round match Thursday at the Schoenbaum Tennis Courts. (Photo by Joe Albright)

PARKERSBURG — Isabel Bhati always possessed the heart to play high school tennis, according to Parkersburg coach Jill Parsons.

There were just two problems.

Not broken conundrums, but more the type Bhati really could only fix by herself and then together with a coach: Her mental approach to the game and how it meshed with her strokes.

Why were these concerns?

It just so happens Bhati gets nervous and has anxiety on the tennis court — not a good time, at all.

Big Reds’ No. 1 doubles player Dylan Huynh prepares a serve as partner Jacob Boone and he practice for their first round state tournament match. (Photo by Joe Albright)

Without a strong head, there was no guarantee she’d be prepared to do what needed to be done. When matches got close, pressure and anxiety rises. Also, shot selection and quick decision making don’t always follow when ones mind is overworked. So, her mind certainly became a critical piece of the puzzle.

Yet, there was more to it than that.

Upon solving the mental aspect, both pieces needed to fit together and connect in ways beneficial to her game. After all, no one could play her singles matches but her.

Mix it all in with the fact that she was making her high school tennis debut, and you get a recipe for stress.

Only, that isn’t how things played out — not in the slightest.

Parkersburg’s Sofia Olson hits a shot during a rally in doubles’ partner Ashley Welshans and hers practice match with Pallavi Sundaram and Laurel Sanders. Olson and Welshans stand just two wins away from a No. 3 doubles state championship. (Photo by Joe Albright)

Every day and with the help of coach Mike Carpenter, Bhati began making her improvements and progressing faster and faster when it came to meshing her games together. Matches weren’t so overwhelming anymore and she essentially found a groove.

“It was exciting and nerve wracking at the same time,” she said.

And by the time she reached the regional semifinal, and had to finish in the top 3 to advance to the state tournament, things built to a fever pitch.

“The most exciting thing was actually at the regional match when she qualified for the state tournament,” Parsons said. “It was a tight match and I pretty much coached her every single change over and I could she her working. She kept her emotions in check and had a good energy and nervousness.”

And now, Bhati enters the final week of the season in top condition and excited to keep her hard work going, hopefully all the way into the final match on Saturday.

She debuts against Jefferson’s Ava Wilson Thurdsay. A win then sets her on course for George Washington’s Lilyana Stone or University’s Sydney Tackas in a pro-set best 2-of-3 semifinal on Friday.

And she’s already well aware of what she must do to advance.

“I really have to remember to stay calm throughout the match and just play the game that I want to play,” she said. “Sometimes I stress about the details and I just need to go out there and play tennis.”

CAMPBELL’S CHALLENGING CLIMB

The Big Reds’ No. 1 singles player Lakyn Campbell experienced a debut season to remember.

She’s played in the semifinals of Mountain State Athletic Conference and Class AAA Region IV tournaments alongside qualifying for the state tournament in the toughest region.

But it is going to take something special to keep her season going all the way until Saturday and the state championship match: She needs to play some of the best tennis she’s ever played.

That’s right.

While MSAC foe’s Lexi Smolder of Hurricane and Huntington’s CeCe Weiler are in the other side of the bracket, reigning No. 2 singles state and Region IV champion Hanley Riner wasn’t. And though they wouldn’t face each other until the semifinals, it’s a challenging hurdle to overcome.

In fact, she’s already proved a handful for Campbell. In two matches this season, Riner’s come away with 8-0 victories. And should she get by her and Smolder advances to the championship match, it is another tough out. The Redskin also beat her 8-0 in the regular season.

Still, you won’t see her head coach putting much stock into those results. Jeff Olson believes there could be a special ending in store for his sophomore. “She’s consistently played against the toughest players in the state all season long and built up a confidence and more experience and I think we are going to see that come to light during our time in Charleston,” he said.

Campbell kicks off with Washington’s Madison Vickers.

BOONE’S GW ‘PROBLEM’

While Parkersburg’s No. 1 boys tennis player Jacob Boone won’t see consensus top player in the state AJ Mercer until the championship match, that’s hardly a reason for him to celebrate.

Replacing Mercer on his side of the bracket is someone whose been just as challenging for the Big Red to solve: George Washington’s Rohen Jones. The Patriot provided a hard-hitting, tricky game for the Big Red in three previous matches this season.

And, things likely won’t be any easier if the two meet in the semifinal. As Jones is anxious to meet friend Mercer in the finals, there’s already a motivation for the Patriot to grasp a hold of and use against anyone in his way.

Perhaps, Boone’s best bet is channeling that emotion against Jones by making him hit shots long or short. There’s no doubt Jones is a smart player, but Boone certainly has a few tricks up his sleeve as well.

Two years ago, Boone struggled keeping up with University’s Drew Henthorne, playing a good portion of the match behind. Henthorne’s height and ability getting to balls affected the Big Red, but Boone perservered in the heated match. Then the next day, he played Huntington’s JJ Mercer in the finals. So, there’s plenty of experience for him to draw on against the GW foe.

This also is sophomore Jones’ first trip to the state tournament.

First thing is first, however, the Big Red opens with Martinsburg’s James Dailey.

BOONE’S OTHER GW PROBLEM

Switching onto the doubles court doesn’t completely eliminate Rohen Jones from Boone’s mind, however.

He’ll still be very much a part of the Big Red senior’s thoughts.

That’s due to the fact that if partner Dylan Huynh and Boone reach the semifinals in the No. 1 bracket, Alex Stacy and Jones are waiting for them. The Patriots, who have a chance to tie the Big Reds for overall state titles with a win, also will be one match fresher. They received a bye in the opening round.

So while the Big Reds face off against Washington’s Robert Schottler and Nathaniel Perry in the opening round, the Patriots have the opportunity to scout their opponents.

NO. 3 DOUBLES DUOS’ BIG CHANCE

Two measly matches are all that stand in the way of both Big Reds’ No. 3 doubles groups and a a state championship.

That may sound like nothing.

Parkersburg’s Sofia Olson and Ashley Welshans and their counterpart’s Levi Frashure and Simon Strobl played three matches in one day earlier this season. All of them faced off against Morgantown, Cabell Midland and Hurricane all came to City Park back on May 15.

Olson and Welshans won their matches 8-5, 8-3, and 8-1. Strobl and Frashure took their matches 8-4, 8-1, 8-1. However, there was a catch.

Those matches weren’t pro-set best 2-out-of-3. Every match the duos play Friday and Saturday will be. However, there’s another blessing. Should either get through those marathons then they are crowned the champs. Not too shabby.

Olson and Welshans open in a semifinal versus Spring Mills’ Region II championship duo of Chelsea McIntosh and Sarah Rader. Meanwhile, Strobl and Frashure play Region II champion in Washingtons’ Jake Kable and Pete Mejia. Both matches are on Friday.