By Staff for www.mcpherson-county-ks.com & www.facebook.com/mcphersoncountyks

            SALINA – On Wednesday, the McPherson High girls junior varsity tennis team scored a third-place finish in a tournament at Salina despite playing with just a five girls team.

            “With a five-player team today due to an illness, the line-up was shuffled just a bit from what a couple of girls were expecting but they were able to quickly adjust,” noted Lady Bullpup junior varsity coach Ricardo Sanchez.

            In number one singles, Kennedy Tully went 3-0 and brought home a championship trophy while Jadin Nowell and Jordan Martens teamed up in number one doubles and finished second after going 2-1.

            “Our only singles player was Kennedy (Tully),” pointed out Sanchez. “She also found herself in the championship match where she played against a very good Manhattan player and played the best singles match I have seen her play. She hit the ball extremely well, moved well, and anticipated where her opponent was going to target next.”

            Sanchez continued by saying, “Jadin (Nowell) and Jordan (Martens) started both of their pool play matches slowly before finding their best tennis about halfway through each match. They ran into a strong Manhattan tandem in the finals. Even after losing the match, the girls commented that they had fun playing. That just goes to show that even if you are playing someone that is better than you, you can take that time to enjoy just playing good tennis.”

            The Lady Bullpups number two doubles duo of Abilene Frey and Ady Crocker went 1-2 for the day and placed fifth.

            “Ady (Crocker) and Abilene (Frey) had back-to-back heartbreaking losses in pool play. They were literally just a couple of points from winning both those matches and being in the finals. They were able to stay composed after those matches and end the day with a big win.”

            Sanchez concluded his reflections on the day by adding, “Some of these players have played a lot of tournaments in the first half of the season and their growth continues to show.”

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)