The first round of the State Tournament has come and gone, with the competition dwindling from 64 to 16. The round of 16 of the State Tournament is set for next Tuesday.
DCHS: Sending three singles players and two doubles teams, every Daviess County athlete won their first-round matchup. Landon McDuffee and Jenna Faulkner both finished the day 2-0, punching their ticket to the round of 16 of the State Tournament.
After making quick work of her first round opponent, Emmie Kate Williams fell to the top-ranked girls’ singles player 6-0, 6-1. The Lady Panthers doubles teams of Ella Boswell and Ellie Dever, and Alexa Salamah and Maddie Meyer, both also fell in the second round.
“I was happy with how everyone played. Both of our doubles teams had a tough match, but played confidently,” Daviess County Head Coach Dylan McDuffee said. “Emmie Kate played the number one overall seed in the second round and played some of the best tennis I’ve ever seen her play. I am proud of everyone.”
OHS: Owensboro was represented by the doubles team of John Clay Ford and Walker Gaddis, who finished the day 2-0 and advanced to next week.
“I was thrilled for Walker and John Clay today. They got over their initial nerves in the first round to settle in and win 6-0, 6-1,” Owensboro boys Head Coach Clay Ford said. “They played very well in the second round to pull away from a good Paducah Tilghman team 6-1, 6-2. We are excited that they advanced to the Championships in Lexington. I’m very proud of the run they have had so far and can’t wait to see what they can accomplish in Lexington. Many of the Owensboro area players had a great showing in Bowling Green. Our community will be well represented at the State Finals.”
OCHS: Owensboro Catholic was well represented at semi-state, having sent four doubles teams and two singles players. Over in girls’ doubles, the duo of Gabi Moyers and Lexi Moyers won their opening match before losing a heartbreaker to Greenwood in the second round. After dropping the first set 6-0, they won the second 6-4, but fell in third set tiebreakers 12-10.
The Lady Aces second doubles team of Madison Clark and Meredith Traylor also won their opening match 6-1, 6-0 over Hopkins County Central, but fell in the second round to South Warren.
“I am very proud of the kids who qualified for the state tournament,” Owensboro Catholic girls coach Audie Moyers said. “Our kids on both the boys and girls’ teams played their hearts out today and played their best tennis of the year. I am very pleased with their performance and their maturity.”
For the boys’ team, the doubles team of Henry Haines and Joseph Merchannt, and the singles player Ollie Haines both finished the day 2-0 and advanced to the round of 16. Jack Haines lost his opening match to South Warren, and Ben Haines and Luke Pfiefer fell in the second round to Greenwood.
“I am so proud of all the boys qualifying for State,” Owensboro Catholic boys’ Head Coach Branden Haines said. “We were the only boys’ team that had all six representing their school. Ben and Luke won their first match and just came up little short on their second. Jack played great; he just had a tough first-round match against the one seed. Henry and Joseph played great tennis in their first two rounds. They are peaking at the right time; they haven’t lost a set in a month. Ollie had the heart of a lion today. To get through singles, those first two rounds unseeded at his age is tough. He fought hard and played so grittily for those two hours. We are looking forward to playing in Lexington next week and representing Owensboro Catholic”
