Cheney’s Ryan and Katelynn Smedley added one more week to their tennis season after winning their regional qualifying matches in Ephrata, last Saturday to advance to the 2A state tournament at the Nordstrom Tennis Center in Seattle, May 27-28.
Ryan Smedley earned his first trip to state after he defeated Ellensburg’s Tim Miller (6-2, 6-2). He lost to Miller at the Moses Lake jamboree back in March in his first match of the year.
“We came in expecting a tough match,” boy’s head coach Jesse Erickson said.
Erickson added that Ryan Smedley played aggressive at the net and utilized his drop shots — something he had worked on during practice.
“Many of those points went to five deuces and Ryan won four of those,” Erickson said. “He showed a lot of confidence and mental toughness. I’m super proud of him.”
Katelynn Smedley qualified for her second state tournament after she defeated Ephrata’s Jennie DeLeon (6-1, 6-0).
“I was happy with how Katelynn came out strong and controlled the match,” girls’ head coach Jason Overland said. “She is playing at a very high level right now and peaking at the right time heading into the state tournament.”
Katelynn Smedley finished eighth in last year’s state tournament. Ryan Smedley will be the first player from the Cheney boy’s tennis team to compete at state in five years.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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