Several locals were still in contention when Wednesday’s third round started at the KHSAA State Tennis Tournament in Lexington and while all fell in their first match of the day, only two of those competing were seniors so the rest are looking for a return trip next season.
Owensboro’s Dylan Mather, Owensboro Catholic’s Ella Cason, Catholic’s Emmy Moore/Sarah Kate Young and Catholic’s Olivia Hayden/Aisha Merchant all competed Wednesday for the final time this year.
Mather fell to DuPont Manual’s Brent Reynolds 7-5,6-2, but the junior still has high hopes for next season as he snapped the Red Devils streak of nearly two decades without a singles region champion.
Cason fell to Cooper’s Ellie Zureick 6-4, 6-3, but as one of just three junior high competitors to play on Wednesday, Cason is ready to make a splash next season when she enters her freshman season.
Moore and Young, the only local seniors to compete in the third round, fell to North Oldham’s Reagan Mangan/Willow Renton 6-1, 6-0, as both end their solid careers as Lady Aces.
Hayden and Merchant fell to Scott County’s Megan Moore/Sydney Zakic but the duo returns next season with their eyes not only on Catholic’s top spot but the top spot in the region as well.
Third Round Results
BOYS
Singles
Brent Reynolds (DuPont Manual) def. Dylan Mather (Owensboro) 7-5, 6-2
GIRLS
Singles
Ellie Zureick (Cooper) def. Ella Cason (Owensboro Catholic) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles
Reagan Mangan/Willow Renton (North Oldham) def. Emmy Moore/Sarah Kate Young (Owensboro Catholic) 6-1, 6-0
Megan Moore/Sydney Zakic (Scott County) def. Olivia Hayden/Aisha Merchant (Owensboro Catholic) 6-0, 7-6(5)
