Young Catholic team nabs fourth at state

To say they battled two powerhouse teams on Thursday is impressive, but ending a 13-year-long drought as a young squad is also worth celebrating.

The Springfield Catholic Irish finished their journey through the Class 1 MSHSAA Tennis State Tournament on Thursday at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield with a fourth-place trophy – something it hasn’t seen since 2003.

Catholic first-year head coach Justin Fravel said, “I couldn’t be prouder of our guys. They did everything I asked and more. They came out every day and worked hard. It’s my first year coaching tennis and my first year with these guys and I really couldn’t be happier with the result.”

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The young team went through four-time defending state champion MICDS in the semifinals, and year-after-year Final Four team John Burroughs in the third-place game.

Despite falling to both of these teams 5-0, Fravel looks at the bigger picture.  

“It feels good to know that we can compete with anyone in the state,” Fravel said. “Obviously it wasn’t our day. I really hope that everyone comes out again next year. We want to be the team that comes back here year after year after year. We’ve got a great foundation to build on. Making the Final Four was great, but we want to do better next year.”

But for one, the competition isn’t over just yet.

Jason Nayar will take on John Burroughs’ Zale Shah in the Class 1 singles tournament.

Again.

Nayar faced Shah in Thursday’s third-place showdown in both doubles and singles.

Nayar and teammate Cooper Croley battled Shah and Ben Remis in doubles and lost 8-1, while Nayar was also put to the test by Shah individually and fell 7-5, 5-4 (DNF).

“I was able to get a lot out of my match; just strengths, weaknesses…,” the sophomore said. “Both of his spins he hits on his serves and downstrokes, so I’m looking forward to the match tomorrow.”

Nayar’s match starts 10:15 a.m. at Cooper Tennis Complex Friday.

No matter what happens, Nayar is already counting on a great 2017 season.

“Not only did we get back here, but we’re a young team,” he said. “So, we don’t lose any varsity players next year. I’m looking forward to next year as well.”

Fravel said, “We’ve got a great core coming back, and we’re really looking forward to next year and getting back to it. These guys have got a taste of it’s like to be at state. We want to build from there and keep going.”

THIRD-PLACE GAME VS. JOHN BURROUGHS (L 5-0)

Singles

Doubles

SEMIFINAL GAME VS. MICDS (L 5-0)

Singles

Doubles