Thresher tennis brings home 18 medals from KCAC Individual Championships
Thresher tennis brings home 18 medals from KCAC Individual Championships
The men's and women's teams combined brought five gold, five silver and three bronze medals in between singles and doubles back to North Newton.
LINDSBORG — The men’s and women’s tennis teams improved from their placements last year as five players finished with gold, five with silver, and three with bronze, in the KCAC Fall Individual Championships this last weekend hosted by Bethany.
This year, after losing some key players, it felt a little hopeful as the men’s team went into seven semifinals matches and ended up winning a total of nine medals. Petr Kollar and Jorge Batista placed second in the #1 doubles flight, James Menard and Billy Haoda placed second in the #2 doubles flight, and Jonah Bergeron and Rodrigo Sanchez placed first in the #3 doubles flight. All three of these doubles teams played McPherson in the finals.
In singles, Haoda placed second in the #4 flight, Bergeron placed second in the #5 flight, and Moses Sawatzky took first in the #6 flight capping off the victorious weekend for the men's team.
“With more and more tournaments, we are playing better as individuals and as a team,” said freshman Haoda from Cairns, Australia. “The seniors and role models we have on our team set a really good foundation for what we can achieve this year and even further after.”
For the women, a huge return came at the site for Daniela Herrera as she missed last season due to eligibility. Herrera and Daniela Casique took first in the #1 flight for doubles in their first tournament as partners and Grace Dawes and Patty Huerta took third in the #2 flight.
In singles, Herrera took first as well in the 1st flight, Casique took first in the #2 flight in a super breaker, Dawes placed third in the #3 flight, Huerta placed third in the #4 flight, and Kate Rowland took second in the #6 flight capping off a huge return for the girls and a big weekend as well.
“Being back on the courts was full of emotions, nerves, fear, but above all, excitement,” said senior Herrera from Juarez, Mexico. “I didn’t expect to win the tournament since I hadn’t played a match for awhile, but with the support of my coach, my team, my partner, and of course my parents, my fear turned into confidence. Winning the tournament was incredible, I played with the desire to win, the desire to fight for it, and I did just that.”
Both teams came into the tournament with experience, as the men’s team had four returners in the lineup and the women’s team had six returners.
“I thought we had a very good weekend for both teams,” head coach Gabe Johnson said. “I think the women in particular supported each other very well. I think that was made evident by the fact they were able to pull out a lot of tight matches against quality competition. I think they played with a lot of confidence and looking forward to seeing them carry that over into next week.
On the men’s side, I think we are continuing to grow a lot. I've got a young team, but we are competing well. I think we're working through the ups and downs and ultimately this weekend we're able to come out with seven medalists and a lot of good play so I'm looking forward to seeing how both teams compete at our scrimmage this week and then at ITA regional this weekend.”
As a total of 18 medals were given to players of Bethel, the Threshers look to have a solid performance next weekend as they will compete at ITA Regionals in Salina and look for some shots at individual national runs.