Join our Mailing List!
Please click the link below to sign up for your community paper mailing list. Stay up to date with all the events going on in your community as well as the latest news.Sign Up Today!
Jays just miss regionals
Liberty's boys tennis team takes fifth at district meet, one spot from the postseason
By Kevin Goodwin
Six teams were battling for four regional spots at the Class 2 District 8 tennis tourney.
And in the end, Liberty High was left on the outside looking in.
The Blue Jays took fifth with 19 points, just one-half point behind fourth-place St. Joseph Central and one point behind third-place Oak Park on Thursday, May 10, at Oak Park High.
Park Hill South placed sixth with 18.5 points.
“It came down to the last couple matches of the day,” said Liberty coach Art Smith. “We knew going in that the 20-point range historically was where you needed to be. We knew there were going to be five or six teams competing for four spots. We just hoped we would have some matches go our way. We had a couple of matches that the guys would tell you that they could have won.”
Liberty’s James Lee took fourth in the singles competition.
Lee beat Steven Shrout of Fort Osage in his opening match, then downed Truman’s Josh Smith 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to reach the semifinals.
Park Hill’s Sam Barth beat Lee 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 in the semifinals, then Park Hill’s Brian Hillix won the third-place match 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
“James has had so many three-set matches this season against some great competition, but hasn’t been able to break into the winner’s column,” Smith said. “His quarterfinal match against Smith was a tough three-set match. He played Barth pretty even until the third set.
“I was happy that James competed at a high level. I think he saw that if he can correct a few things for next year, there’s no reason why he’s not right there with everyone else in the district.”
Evan Heuer lost his first match to North Kansas City’s Travis Stewart, then won two matches in the consolation round before losing to Stewart again in the consolation semifinals.
Liberty’s Michael Foster and Jake Ohlhausen advanced to the doubles consolation semifinals before losing, and the team of Taylor McElhaney and Adam Neth went 2-2 in the tourney.
“Both of our doubles teams played tough matches,” Smith said. “We came close to playing to our potential, but I think we left a little on the table.”
Sports writer Kevin Goodwin can be reached at 389-6652 or kgoodwin@npgco.com.
printable version
e-mail this story
And in the end, Liberty High was left on the outside looking in.
The Blue Jays took fifth with 19 points, just one-half point behind fourth-place St. Joseph Central and one point behind third-place Oak Park on Thursday, May 10, at Oak Park High.
Park Hill South placed sixth with 18.5 points.
“It came down to the last couple matches of the day,” said Liberty coach Art Smith. “We knew going in that the 20-point range historically was where you needed to be. We knew there were going to be five or six teams competing for four spots. We just hoped we would have some matches go our way. We had a couple of matches that the guys would tell you that they could have won.”
Liberty’s James Lee took fourth in the singles competition.
Lee beat Steven Shrout of Fort Osage in his opening match, then downed Truman’s Josh Smith 4-6, 6-4, 7-5 to reach the semifinals.
Park Hill’s Sam Barth beat Lee 6-4, 2-6, 6-0 in the semifinals, then Park Hill’s Brian Hillix won the third-place match 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.
“James has had so many three-set matches this season against some great competition, but hasn’t been able to break into the winner’s column,” Smith said. “His quarterfinal match against Smith was a tough three-set match. He played Barth pretty even until the third set.
“I was happy that James competed at a high level. I think he saw that if he can correct a few things for next year, there’s no reason why he’s not right there with everyone else in the district.”
Evan Heuer lost his first match to North Kansas City’s Travis Stewart, then won two matches in the consolation round before losing to Stewart again in the consolation semifinals.
Liberty’s Michael Foster and Jake Ohlhausen advanced to the doubles consolation semifinals before losing, and the team of Taylor McElhaney and Adam Neth went 2-2 in the tourney.
“Both of our doubles teams played tough matches,” Smith said. “We came close to playing to our potential, but I think we left a little on the table.”
Sports writer Kevin Goodwin can be reached at 389-6652 or kgoodwin@npgco.com.