Staff Report
HOT SPRINGS - The Magnolia Panthers and Lady Panthers placed second in the 5A-South Conference Tennis Tournament on Monday at Hot Srpings Lakeside.
"We had a number of positive things that have happened this season that I can’t help to be excited about for the players," said head tennis coach Shelly Malone.
She noted that Kevin Zhao (No. 1 singles), along with Peyton Carter/Blake Prince (No. 2 doubles), did not lose a match until the district tournament.
"That meant they had a perfect season in regular match play. The girls team jumped from a fourth-place finish in 2016 to second overall this year, she said. "The boys also won second place overall as well."
Eight Magnolia players will be traveling to the Class 5A State Tennis Tournament Monday and Tuesday at Pulaski Academy in Little Rock.
"I want to also give a big shout out to Tammy Jolly for taking on an important role with our booster club. I am truly thankful for all that she has done," said Malone.
At the district meet, the following took place:
Boys
• Keith Watson/Tristan Malone received a bye in the first round and are state qualifiers.
They beat a pair from White Hall 6-0, 6-2 in the second round and lost to Lakeside 2-6, 3-6 in quarterfinals. They beat Payton Carter and Blake Prince to place third overall. Beat Carter/Prince from Magnolia 8-4 to place third overall
• Peyton Carter and Blake Prince received a bye in the first round and are state qualifiers. They beat a fourth-seed team from White Hall 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7-5) in the second round. They lost to a team from Lakeside 0-6, 0-6 in quarterfinals and lost to Magnolia's Watson/Malone 4-8 for a fourth place finish overall.
• Kevin Zhao earned a first-round bye and qualified for state. He beat Sam Stevens of Hot Springs 6-0, 6-0 in second round and lost to Ian Hollis of Lakeside 2-6, 2-6 in quarter finals. He beat Daniel Heikes of White Hall 8-3 for a third place finish overall.
• Daniel Reyes beat Ian Garcia of De Queen 6-4, 7-5 in first round and lost to Noah McClanahan of Lakeside in second round 0-6, 0-6.
Girls
• Abbie Jolly received a bye in the first round and then beat Alicia Salazar from of De Queen 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. She lost to Thea Rice of Lakeside 6-0, 6-0 and to Kathlene Bridgeforth 6-8 to received a fourth place finish overall. She also qualified for the state tournament.
• Seniors Hunter Nix/Taylor Bayles earned a first-round bye, qualifying for state. They beat a team from White Hall 6-2, 6-3 in the second round and lost to Dolan/Fauber of Lakeside 2-6, 1-6. They lost to a White Hall team 3-8 for a fourth place place finish overall.
• LaZanee Miller/Roni Morris won their first round match 6-2, 6-2 in the first round. They lost to a Lakeside team 0-6, 1-6 in second round.
• Raegan Nix lost to Tristan Jones of Hope 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 2-6 in the first round.
Malone said, "I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported the Magnolia tennis team this season."