The Trenton Bulldogs, out of Class 1, Section 8, have earned three of the four available spots for the state tournament in Springfield, winning all three matches contested on Monday afternoon at the Noyes Tennis Complex in St. Joseph.
In singles play, Nick Shields ripped through his match with Maryville’s Mason Walk, winning 6-1, 6-1 to advance into singles play in the 16-person bracket. Joining Shields will be teammate Gabe Swann, who rallied from a one-set deficit after falling 6-3 to Bostyn Horn of St. Joseph Benton, defeating his Cardinal opponent in the final two sets, 6-3 and 6-1 to advance to competition in Springfield.
In addition to Shields and Swann’s advancement to state, THS will send its top doubles team to the Class 1 tournament. Kade Ockenfels and Creed Houghton, against Caleb and Gian Lombardino of Bishop LeBlond, defeated the Golden Eagle pair in straight sets 7-6, 6-4. The first set was decided on a 7-4 tie-break.
The second doubles spot for the state tournament was won by Maryville’s team of Kempf and Hemerlink, via a 6-1, 6-2 sweep of McGraw and Ross of Richmond.
Trenton, as a team, will travel to Maryville on Saturday, for Class 1 sectional (and with a victory, quarterfinal) competition on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University. The Bulldogs will play Pembroke Hill in the “Round of 16”, with Maryville and Odessa playing in the other sectional dual.
The Class 1 singles play at state will run on Friday, May 25th and Saturday, May 26th from the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield.
Photo credit – Dave Sager / Trenton High School Tennis / St. Joseph, MO
