Trojans 2nd at Hillsboro Invitational, 5th in MCAA

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN DON RATZLAFF
The Hillsboro tennis team finished second among eight teams at the Hillsboro Invitational Monday at the Sports Complex.

The Trojans accumulated 53 points. Hesston won the tournament with 61. Wichita Independent also scored 53 points but had a lower percentage of game wins than Hillsboro did.

Following those teams were Trinity Academy with 39 points, Wichita Collegiate 32, Fairfield 21, Neodesha 14 and a Hillsboro 2 team with 7.

Brandon Ratzlaff placed second for Hillsboro in No. 1 singles. He beat Brett Livingston of Neodesha, 8-1, in the opening round, then beat Derek Young of Hesston in the semifinals, 8-4, but lost to Kirk Spotts of Independent in the championship match, 3-8.

In No. 1 doubles, Caleb Dirks and Tyler Weinbrenner defeated Belcher and Clough of Fairfield, 6-0, then lost to Leichty and Mason from Hesston, 1-8, before beating Harris and Nichols of Independent, 8-1, in the battle for third.

In No. 2 singles, Florin Nae defeated Erik Gamelson of Trinity, 8-1, then lost to Dylan Jones of Hesston, 0-8, before defeating John Pankow of Collegiate for third place, 8-6.

In No. 2 doubles, John Vineski and Eric Weinbrenner lost to Martin and Chang of Collegiate, 0-8, then defeated Morgan and Lygrisse of Trinity, 8-5, before losing to McCleary and Price of Neodesha, 5-8, in the battle for fifth.

MCAA meet-Hillsboro placed fifth among eight teams at the Mid-Central Activities Association league meet Friday at the Sports Complex.

Smoky Valley and Wichita Collegiate tied for the title with 56 points. Ellinwood placed third with 45, followed by Hesston with 41, Hillsboro 39, Sterling 24, Haven 16 and Nickerson 3.

In No. 1 singles, Hillsboro’s Brandon Ratzlaff placed second. He defeated Brian Ayres of Haven, 6-0, 6-1, in the first round, Noah Lindfors of Smoky Valley, 6-2, 6-3, in the semifinals before losing to No.1 seeded Troy Reade of Ellinwood in the title match, 2-6, 6-7.

The Trojans’ No. 1 doubles team of Tyler Weinbrenner and Florin Nae lost to Young and Louckes of Hesston, 0-6, 2-6, in the first round, then lost to Snyder and Johnston of Haven, 0-9, in the consolation bracket.

In No. 2 singles, Caleb Dirks defeated Tony Bargen of Smoky Valley in the first round, 6-3, 6-4, then defeated Michael Holle of Hesston, 6-1, 6-1, in the semifinals only to lose to Bo Dunne of Collegiate, 0-6, 3-6, in the title match.

In No. 2 doubles, Kyle Kroeker and Macy Fadenrecht lost to Leichty and Mason of Hesston, 1-6, 2-6, in the opening round, then defeated Towell and Rankin of Haven, 9-6, and Errebo and Durr of Sterling, 9-2, in the consolation bracket to place fifth.

Regionals-Hillsboro will host the regional tournament Friday at the Sports Complex. Matches begin at 7:30 a.m.

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