Sibling duo Kiefer and Kian Court made an impressive run to the doubles semi-final round of the regional tournament this week, punching their ticket to the state tournament at Top Seed Tennis Complex in Nicholasville, Ky., June 1-3.
After a bye in round one, the pair defeated Kerrick and Nabavi of Murray 6-0, 6-0 then moved on to round three to beat McCracken County’s Puertollano and Patel 6-2, 4-6 – winning the tie-breaker 10-6.
In Saturday’s thrilling semi-final against Graves County’s Brady Ellegood and Clay Cooper, the Courts took the first set 7-6 after a 10-4 tiebreaker. Tied 2-2 in the second set, they went up 3-2 then took a two-game lead at 4-2, but the Graves County pair tied the set up at 4-4 then went up 6-4 to win the second set – the match decided on a third set tie-breaker won by Ellegood and Cooper 10-7. The Graves County team went on to win the regional title.
Region 1 team championships went to the boys from Paducah Tilghman and the McCracken County girls. The Mayfield doubles team of Megan Null and Molly Null won the girls doubles title. Winning singles titles – Paducah Tilghman’s Davis Rowton and McCracken County’s Shelby Puryear.
Rush Robinson and Jameson Wells, also with a first round bye, proceeded to beat Calloway County’s Emerson and Morris in round two 6-0, 6-1. Their tournament ended in round three to McCracken County’s Crabtree and Lundberg 3-6, 1-6 after a great effort.
In girls doubles, Laney Evans and Delaney Miller lost in the second round to St. Mary’s Haas and Lorch 0-6, 3-6 after a first round bye. Shelby Spencer and Kayla Westfall opened up with a first round win over Campbell and Smith of St. Mary 6-1, 6-4 then fell in round two to Paducah Tilghman’s Duwe and LeBuhn 0-6, 0-6.
In singles play for Marshall County, Jessica Wells won her first round match against Zoe Wilson of Ballard 6-0, 6-0 then took care of business in round two against Graves County’s Laken Shultz 6-1, 6-0. Her tournament ended in round three – just one round short of an automatic spot in the state tournament – to Tilghman’s Abby Brown 4-6, 1-6.
After a first round bye, Courtney Phillips lost in the second round to Ella Harp of CCA 6-7 (0-7), 0-6.
In boys singles, Elston Evans and Alex Dinas both with first round byes, saw their tournament end in the second round. Evans lost to Connor McIntosh of McCracken County 0-6, 0-6 and Dinas fell to CCA’s Addicus Hughes 0-6, 0-6.
“This group of players has been a joy to work with!” said Head Coach Deena Whirley. “We have seen so much growth in their tennis abilities this season. We have several first year players that really stepped up and made a big contribution to the team. Our returning players pushed each other to improve which paid off in the post season.”
Whirley said they will miss three players next season with the graduation of Kiefer Court and two senior girls – Kayla Westfall and Shelby Spencer.
“We will miss these key players next season”, Whirley said. “Overall, our team is young, so that gives us hope for future seasons. Kiefer and Kian Court will continue to work until they step on the court in Lexington in hopes of bringing home the state title.”
