All Area Players Have Exited State Tennis Tournament

All area players in the State Tennis Tournament have been eliminated from further play after competing Thursday in opening round action.

The Effingham High School doubles team of Jared Minor and Drake Hill lost their first round match, 6-1, 6-0 to David Aizenberg and Max Gordon of Highland Park but then won, 6-1, 6-2 over their next round opponents, John Stefik and Ricky Smith of Orland Park Sandburg. However, they lost their third match, 6-4, 6-1 to Rajiv Patel-O'Connor and Daniel Costa of Aurora Illinois Math and Science Academy and were eliminated from further tournament play.

Jay Niebrugge of St. Anthony was the only local player to qualify for singles competition. Niebrugge lost his first round match, 6-0, 6-2 to Colin Harvey of Lincolnshire Stevenson but won his second round match over Brett Norvell of Bethalto Civic Memorial, 6-0, 6-0. He then exited the tournament with a 6-2, 6-1 loss to  Aaron Amburgey of St. Charles North.

Two doubles teams from Teutopolis qualified for state competition. Andy Mersman and Nick Pals have been eliminated after losing, 6-2, 6-0 to Jonathan Koons and Alex Gray of Edwardsville and then losing 6-3, 7-6 on a two-point tiebreaker to Sam Knuth and Norm Palmer of Frankfort Lincoln-Way North.

The doubles team of Trevor Lee and Jacob Mette lost their first round match, 6-2, 7-5 over Jake Grabner and Riley Michel of Huntley but then won their second round match, 6-3, 6-4 over Camrin Garrett and Adil Mian of Chicago Morgan Park Academy. But the duo fell to Henry Belcaster and George Brennan of Oak Park-River Forest 7-6 (6), 7-5 to exit the tournament.

The tournament continues today and finals are scheduled Saturday.