Tigers have tough time in deep tourney

PARSONS -- Fort Scott High School's varsity tennis team opened the season here Thursday at the Parsons Invitational. With some of the top teams in the Southeast Kansas League entered in the five-team round-robin tournament, the Tigers experienced a tough outing that was good for evaluation.

"This is always a tough way to open the season, but it gives us a good look at where we are and what we want to work toward and this year was no exception," Fort Scott head coach Lynn Barr said. "(Independence), Parsons and Pittsburg have been three of the strongest teams in the league for several years and this year doesn't appear to be an exception."

The Tigers finished fourth out of the five teams entered. Independence was the champion.

The No. 2 doubles team of Mikayla Norris and Breanna Leslie had the best finish, going 2-2 for third place in their pool. They opened with two losses, by 8-2 to Sam Bollinger/Aliza Benedict of Pittsburg and 8-0 to Caringtyn Julian/Anna Miller of Independence. But the finished with back-to-back wins, beating Emily Gatewood/Abbie Ford of Parsons in a tiebreaker, 8-7 (14-12) and shutting out Coffeyville's Madison Geisen/Kayla Maulsby.

Alex King was 1-3 in No. 2 singles. She lost to Abi Felter of Pittsburg and Halei Matthews of Independence, both 8-1, and Jessica Farris of Parsons, 8-4. She beat Coffeyville's Taylor Neal, 8-0.

"Alex, Mikayla and Breanna all gave a good effort yesterday," Barr said. "But this was the first real taste of varsity action for these three sophomores and the speed and intensity at the varsity level is something they are going to have to adjust to and learn how to compete at this level. The potential is there, they just have to keep working to improve."

Jennifer Harrison was 1-3 in a tough No. 1 singles division. She beat Pittsburg's Katy Short in a tiebreaker, 8-7 (7-5) in her first match. She lost to Indy's Abbie Groff, 8-5, Parsons' Sammi Ford, 8-6, and Coffeyville's Sayaka Smith, 8-1.

"Jennifer played some good tennis, but unfortunately the No. 1 singles division was absolutely loaded," Barr said. "We knew Indy, Parsons and Pittsburg had very good players returning and Coffeyville has a new girl that is an exceptional player -- she beat Groff 8-2. Jennifer can compete in this division, but it's going to be a battle every week with so many strong players in this division this season."

Char Hutchison and Emmah Reeves also had a 1-3 mark as they played No. 1 doubles. Molly Lundberg and Sam Cicero of Pittsburg took an 8-6 win. Then Kalei and Shalei Matthews of Independence and Bryleigh Beardmore/Amanda Rogers of Parsons both claimed 8-2 wins. Hutchison and Reeves defeated Coffeyville's Alexi Nolan/Camille Smith, 8-2, in their final match.

"Char and Emmah had an up down day," Barr noted. "At times, they played well and looked as though they could compete with anyone and, at times, there were way too many errors. It's going to be an adjustment moving up to No. 1 doubles and as their play becomes more consistent, they will compete at a much higher level."

The Tigers return here next Thursday for Labette County High School's tournament. Play begins at 3 p.m.