Great Bend Post Sports
The biggest opponent for Saturday's Great Bend Tennis Invitational was most likely the wind. Gusts began in the morning and only got stronger throughout the day. The Panthers finished in a tie with Hays with 48 points for second place but dropped to third on a tiebreaker. Ellinwood won the meet with 50 points.
"We all played well despite the conditions," said Panther Coach Chris Manning. "We had some great communication by our doubles teams. We still haven’t figured out who is playing with who, so to watch new teams have success is exciting. Freshman Aiden Stacey continues to impress."
Stacey, playing in the No. 2 singles spot, went 2-0 in pool matches with an 8-0 win against teammate Ryan Roussouw, playing for Hoisington, and an 8-2 win against Hays. Stacey dropped his cross-bracket match 8-2 to the overall winner from Scott City.
Great Bend's No. 1 doubles team of Kaden Deines and Chason Ramsey finished the day at 1-2. They lost to Hoisington's Leyton Mooney and Brody Rossman but picked up an 8-3 win against Hays. The Panther pair fell 8-1 to Hays' other team in cross-bracket play.
At No. 2 doubles for the Panthers, Kai Brit and Kaden Pounds finished at 1-1 overall. They defeated Hoisington's team of Randy Chambers and Jordan O'Neill 8-6 in their lone pool match. Great Bend fell to Scott City 8-6 in cross-bracket competition.
Jacob Parks played in the No. 1 singles spot for Great Bend. He lost an 8-4 match against Hoisington's Kian Delong, and an 8-2 match against Hays. Parks lost his final match to Scott City 8-4.
Ellinwood's No. 1 doubles team of Evan Ringwald and Ty Hammeke went 4-0 on the day.