Mason County sophomores Bailey Boone and Tori Lavinder gave it their all on the KHSAA state tennis match on Tuesday.
The ladies doubles workforce confronted off in opposition to the skilled Greenwood pair, Avery Overmohle and Greer Glosick. Each groups have been the runners up of their respective area, with Greenwood taking dwelling the second place trophy within the 4th area, and Mason County falling to George Rogers Clark within the finals of the tenth area.
Regardless of dominating the competitors all through the tenth area match, the women had hassle making headway as soon as hitting the courtroom on the College of Kentucky.
“We began out gradual, and obtained down three love after which type of performed an enough first set, after three love. It was 4 one, 5 two, and we type of obtained into the set somewhat bit. We had some break alternatives that we missed, however we had some actually good alternatives. Give credit score to each of these Greenwood women, they’re stable gamers. We had seen this degree of competitors on the regional finals, and it was very related.” mentioned head coach, Clay Boone.
Mason County misplaced the primary set 6-2, after battling again from a 3-0 deficit. Sadly for the Woman Royals, They have been unable to shut the hole, and Greenwood took dwelling the primary set.
Within the second set, Greenwood obtained out forward of Mason County once more, however this time, the Woman Royals have been unable to win a single match, falling 6-0 to the Woman Gators.
“I feel they did a greater job of inserting the ball, and that right now our returns and our volleys created issues for us as a workforce. I’m excited for the women, they made it to the state match. They got here collectively late within the season, ran by means of the area and obtained to the finals. Hopefully we’ll have higher outcomes sooner or later.
Mason County was eradicated within the first spherical, after having misplaced each units, 6-2, 6-0. Regardless of being eradicated early, coach Boone and each his women and boys tennis groups are optimistic for subsequent yr.
With a rising boys workforce, and an increasing teaching workers, the Mason County tennis groups are planning to be seen on the state match yr after yr.
“The extent’s nonetheless excessive for us. There’s numerous development there, I see numerous issues that we are able to work on, as each gamers and coaches, so we’ve gotta return and work on these issues over the summer season and get higher. You get higher within the off season. We’ve obtained all of the instruments that we’d like, however our execution and our closing out on factors must be higher. We’ll get higher with all these issues, it simply takes time. And so they’re younger, they’re sophomores. They’ve nonetheless obtained two years left and the trail will lead us the the place they’re both in singles or doubles, however hopefully the trail will lead us proper again right here to the state match.” mentioned coach Boone.
All through the summer season and the remainder of the off season, the Mason County tennis groups will meet in small teams to deal with particular areas they want enchancment in, and can proceed to observe and practice to compete at a excessive degree. The Woman Royals have been a constant contender within the tenth area match, however with latest development and growth, Coach Boone, Andy Clarke, Scott Smith and James Dougans have gotten their Boys workforce near the place they need to be.
“After two years the place we have been simply rebuilding this system, We’re again the place we should be, so I’m proud of the place we’re at with our boys program. We went from one level in 2021, to 4 factors final yr, so we’re making exponential progress.” mentioned coach Boone.
Mason County tennis, each the Royals and Woman Royals are in scorching pursuit of a regional championship, and past. With an skilled teaching workers, and a devoted roster, Mason County goes to be a troublesome workforce to beat for the foreseeable future.
“There’s a number of youngsters, not simply Bailey and Tori. We’ve obtained a number of gamers in our program who I feel are prepared to place within the time within the off season. As coach mentioned, the largest enhancements are within the off season, and I feel they need it. If we’re to get to the extent the place you come to the state match to compete and to advance, it’s a must to need it. I feel we have now a number of gamers in our program who’re going to be leaders for a number of years.” mentioned assistant coach, Andy Clarke.