2A tennis tourney expected to be competitive

The 2A girls state tennis tournament is not going to be just like old times this Saturday at Liberty Park.

With tournament stalwart Waterford having moved up to 3A and out of the mix this year, the Winged Lions from two-time defending state champion Rowland Hall are going to face fierce competition from the St. Joseph Jayhawks.

Rowland Hall easily took the state title last year, defeating second-place finisher Waterford 21-10. The Jayhawks, which finished a distant third in the state tournament last year, are vastly improved and actually beat the Winged Lions at the region tournament last week in an 18-17 nailbiter, which should make Saturday's competition highly competitive.

The Manti Templars and Richfield Wildcats were the strongest teams from Region 12 last year and have the potential to throw a wrench into who makes it to the finals.

"You never know who is going to win region and state, because the tournaments bring out the best in the athletes," Rowland Hall coach Tim Sleeper said.

Rowland Hall, which was easily the deepest team at the tourney last year, graduated four seniors but will get vital tournament experience from their three returners, Blake Harries (moving up to first singles after winning at second singles last year), Abby Bossart (undefeated before taking second in first doubles last year), and Sydney Hartsell (hoping to seize her third straight second doubles title).

One potential matchup that could be interesting to watch will be in first singles. Defending first singles state champion Lauren Jones from St. Joseph could meet two-time defending second singles state champion Harries from Rowland Hall. Jones and Harries have met twice already this year, and Jones won both matches in three sets.

"If it's a repeat of region, it's going to be very close," Sleeper said.

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E-mail: hbruce@desnews.com