VIKING TENNIS FINISH SECOND AT SALINA CENTRAL INVITE

By Staff

            SALINA – On Thursday, the Smoky Valley boys tennis team traveled north to Salina for the eight-team Salina South Invitational and returned home with a second-place tie as a team while earning one individual invite championship.

            As a team, the Vikings tied with Manhattan at 23 points, one point behind invitational champion Andover with 24. Valley Center finished fourth while Salina South, Hays, Salina Central and Abilene rounded out the field of competition.

            At number two singles, Keaton Leiker scored an Invitational Championship by going 3-0 with wins of 8-0, 8-1, and 8-2.

            The number two doubles duo of Per Nelson and Nate Nyquist placed second with a pair of wins (8-1 and 8-5) before losing 5-8 in the finals.

            It was the Baker boys, Gabe and Zeke, at number one doubles for Smoky Valley, and they placed fourth after going 1-2 for the day.

            Max Bieker worked number one singles and finished third, going 3-1 in his matches.

            The Vikings will be back on the competitive courts on Tuesday at the Hesston Invitational.

SMOKY VALLEY VIKING BOYS TENNIS at the Salina South Invitational

Team Standings > 1. Andover – 24; T-2. VIKINGS, Manhattan – 23; 4. Valley Center – 17; 5. Salina South – 13; 6. Hays – 9; 7. Salina Central – 5; 8. Abilene – 2.

#1 Singles > Max Bieker – went 2-1, finished 3^rd > W (8-2), L (3-8), W (8-4).

#2 Singles > Keaton Leiker – went 3-0, finished 1^st > W (8-0), W (8-1), W (8-2).

#1 Doubles > Gabe Baker/Zeke Baker – went 1-2, finished 4^th > W (8-2), L (5-8), L (7-8).

#2 Doubles > Per Nelson/Nate Nyquist – went 3-1, finished 2^nd > W (8-1), W (8-5), L (5-8).

(The Staff covering events for the MAC AREA SPORTS NEW can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)