Area Graduates Members of Kaskaskia Tennis Teams Headed To Nationals

The women's team claimed the Region 24 Tournament at Lewis & Clark Community College and is already on its way to Mesa, Arizona where team members will be competing in the Nationals Saturday through next Wednesday.

Three local players are members of the Kaskaskia College squad and those include Claire Griffith, a graduate of Newton High School, and Teutopolis graduates Diana Mossman and Logan Blankenship.

"The program, as a whole, has been by far the best teams we've had since the tennis program came back in 2010," said Kaskaskia Coach Joe Basch. "The women's team had an undefeated season with a 7-0 record including winning the Region championship. We're extremely strong from top to bottom and have been wininng by large margins."

The women's squad defeated Illinios College, 6-3; Lewis & Clark Community College, 9-0; Franklin College, 5-4; Webster University, 7-2; Lewis & Clark Community College, 9-0 and Missouri Baptist University, 5-4. They claimed the Region a 24 Tournament, 9-0. Three regular season matches were canceled.

"Claire plays the No. 2 doubles and the No. 6 singles," said Basch. "She's probably stronger at singles than doubles. She's a freshman.

"The big thing with the girls team, especially at the bottom of the lineup, they are all interchangeable. Claire is our most improved player on the entire roster throughout the school year. She's a well-rounded player.

"Logan, a sophomore, plays No. 1 doubles with Diana Mossman and is the No. 3 singles player. Logan and Diana obviously played together before, both attending Teutopolis High School. That's a big advanrtage. They definitely work well together.

"The two of them are also roommates and both are majoring in nursing. Since they've played together it shows on the court.

"Diana is the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles. I'd have to check but I'm pretty sure she hasn't lost a single match all year in singles play. Diana's big strength is she's not afraid to play a marathon tennis match. Whatever it takes, she perseveres."

Coach Basch has been to Nationals one time before with the men's team.

"I've been there with the men in the spring of 2019 and of course that was the last tennis season due to Covid," said Bausch. "The structure of the women's tournament will be similar to the men's. We'll just have to see how the draw goes. From there we'll find out the top seeds in each flight. We'll just have to do our best and play as hard as possible.

"The girls are used to winning and being successful and hopefully, that carries on."

Diana Mossman

Logan Blankenship

Claire Griffith

The men's squad will head to Plano, Texas, May 17. for the  NJCAA Division I National Championships.

Kaskaskia fnished with a 5-2 record including winning the Region 24 Tournament.

Kaskaskia beat Illinois College, 5-2; Lewis & Clark Community College, 8-1; Webster University, 7-2, Lewis & Clark Community College 9-0 and the tournament, 5-4. Losses were to Franklin College, 6-3 and Missouri Baptist University, 6-3.

Kyele Mossman is a sophomore and is Diana Mossman's brother.

"He's our No. 1 player on the men's side," said Coach Basch. "He also plays No. 1 doubles as well.

"He is the most dominate during competition and a really good player."

Kyele Mossman