Of the eight sectional singles matches at the Class 1 state tennis championships, only two went to a third-set tiebreaker.
Crystal City junior Nate DeClue was in one of them against Mexico’s Boston Davolt. After splitting the first two sets, Davolt beat DeClue 10-7 in the tiebreaker. Davolt lost in the quarterfinals to Justin Janasz of St. Pius X (Kansas City), who in turn fell to eventual state champion Noah Cou of Clayton; Cou won every set at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield on May 15-17. The team portion of the tennis championships is at Cooper today (May 22) and Friday.
“I started out hot (against Davolt),” DeClue said. “I was winning 3-0 and he came back in a close match. He had good form and I wasn’t playing my best.”
After that loss, DeClue was eliminated in the consolation round.
“I was hitting harder in the second match and was more consistent,” he said.
It’s the first time in anyone’s memory at the school that a Hornet has played at Cooper, which has been the home for boys and girls state tennis for decades.
“It felt different because there were more people around, but I got ready for my match as usual,” DeClue said. “A half hour before every match I make sure my electrolytes are good. Eat a banana. Stretch my arms and legs. Head over to the court and start warming up with serves.
“The weather was pretty good. I played in the morning.”
There are three classes for boys tennis and some powerhouse teams, as in any other sport. Cou and the Greyhounds are seeking their third consecutive Class 1 title. Pembroke Hill has won the last three Class 3 crowns. DeClue, who got a chance to watch the best players in the state, said one of his best attributes is a kick-serve that bounces high.
“(Being at state) taught me I need to improve my form,” he said. “I don’t think power’s going to get me there. It’s all about refining what I can and can’t do.”
DeClue said he practices six days a week and plays in summer tournaments. That will lead into his senior year and the start of cross country season.
DeClue was a state qualifier at the Class 1 meet in Columbia last November.
“The summer is where you build endurance,” he said. “The two sports help each other out like that.”
Before state, the Hornets competed in the District 1 meet at Potosi on May 5-7. They fell to Sikeston in the first round, but the Bulldogs were then ousted by Windsor in the semifinals. North County swept the Owls 5-0 to win the district title. DeClue beat Raider Ethan Guggenberger 8-2 to win the No. 1 singles title. North County plays St. Pius X (KC) today in the state semifinals.
Moore makes her choice
New Festus High graduate Rylie Moore has signed to compete in track and field at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.
Shortly after making her commitment official, she gave the Lion coaches confidence that she was 100 percent recovered from an injury, winning district championships in the discus (38.38 meters), javelin (35.31) and shot put (11.48) – a throwing hat-trick, to borrow from soccer and hockey.
Knowing Moore is in top form, I have no doubt that the Festus girls team will contend for the Class 4 state championship at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City on May 30-31. In fact, after tracking district and sectional results the past two weeks, I predict our local athletes are about to turn Adkins into a Jefferson County showcase over the next two weekends.