Lexington, Ky. — The Lawrence Co. High School Tennis team participated in the KHSAA State Tournament on Tuesday at the University of Kentucky and Top Seed Tennis Club.
Riley McClanahan, TK Ellis, Kennedy Gauze
In the Girls state tournament
LC’s Region Champ Kennedy Gauze fell to Kate Young, a senior from Greenwood High School in a thrilling match 1-6, 6-3, and 10-6 in the third set super tiebreak.
In doubles it was Junior Riley McClanahan and Senior TK Ellis playing a pair from South Warren who were seeded number five and lost 6-0 and 6-0.
Blake Maynard, Chase Kendrick, Cayden Sweeney, Alex Desario
In the Boys state tournament
LC 8th grader and Region Champ Chase Kendrick played the number one seed in the tournament and number one ranked player in the state, Senior Evan Duggal from Henry Clay High School, and lost 6-0 and 6-0.
Even though the score was lopsided, Chase said he enjoyed playing a player of such high caliber and gaining valuable experience. Duggal is playing in the finals of the tournament today and he has only lost 5 games in 5 matches so far.
Blake Maynard also lost 6-0 and 6-0 to Luke Colson from North Oldham High School and ranked in the top 10 in KY. Several of Maynard’s games went to deuce and he made Colson earn every game. Colson would lose in the round of 16.
Alex Desario and Cayden Sweeney, both Freshmen, lost to Seniors Patel and Puertollano from McCracken County High School 6-0 and 6-0.
Both teams won Region championship and return a very good core group for next year.
Lawrence Co. Tennis Coach Joey McClanahan
COACH’S COMMENTS
“… A great number of the players in this state tournament are either playing for big schools next year or can even go pro with the rankings they possess.”
“… Even though we didn’t make it to the second round, the experience our players received was invaluable and helped us see how high the bar is set and how hard we need to work to get there. Our players gave it all they had and represented Lawrence County well, that’s all I can ever ask.”
