Mossman Reaches Top 12 in State Before Second Loss

Teutopolis High School's Kyele Mossman reached the Top 12 in the state in Class 1A singles tennis Saturday before suffering his second loss at State, ending his season.

Mossman, wrapping his junior year at T-Town, won his first match 6-2, 6-2 Thursday, then lost 2-6, 0-6, but then came back to win his next four matches, 6-1, 6-0; 6-1, 6-1; 7-6 (4), 6-4; and 6-3, 6-1 before finally falling to Michael Rooney of LaGrange Park 0-6, 1-6 Saturday morning.

"Kyele finished tied for ninth in the singles bracket, beating some really good players during the tournamentm: said Coach Michael  Vogt. "Making it to the third day of the state tournament is quite an accomplishment, especially as a junior."

Meanwhile, Teutopolis' doubles team of Seth Probst and Alex Probst won, then lost, then won two matches before losing their second match to finish 3-2 at State and reach the final 24 teams.

"Alex and Seth played really well up at state. It was nice to see Alex have such success during his senior season.  Kaskaskia is getting a good player next year. Seth really stepped up his game late in the season.  He will be a really strong player for us next year."

The doubles team of Logan Waldhoff and Alex Deters of Teutopolis lost their first match, then won, then lost.

"This was both Logan and Alex's first state tournament appearance but you wouldn't have been able to tell.  They had to play against a team from Mt. Zion who got third place first round, but bounced right back with a win and almost took down a very good team from Herrin. I was very proud of both of them."

Teutopolis earned 11 points at State, good for a tie for ninth place.

"I was so proud of how all the guys played this weekend. Finishing ninth as a team in the state tournament is an exceptional result when you consider that some of the schools that we are up against are three to four times the size of us. It was really just a great way to finish what has been a great season for these guys."