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By Don Eskins (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Kickapoo Chiefs entered Wednesday’s Class 3 District 5 tennis championship against top seeded Springfield Central as underdogs. The only problem was somebody forgot to tell the Chiefs.
The Chiefs jumped out in front of the Bulldogs 2-1 after doubles play and then reeled off three consecutive singles victories to upset Central 5-1 and lay claim to this year’s Class 3 District 5 title.
The Chiefs, who lost to Central last week during conference tournament play, were on a mission.
“We were up 2-1 against Central after doubles play during our conference tournament last week,” said Kickapoo’s Cayden Danzer. “But we couldn’t finish them off during singles competition and lost to them in a tie-breaker. We weren’t going to let that happen this week. This week we attacked early and we got the win.”
Although Kickapoo’s victory will go down in the record books as an upset Chief head coach Eric Wilbur wasn’t surprised at all by his kids performance.
“Our kids came ready to play today and they performed well. They had a lot to prove against a very good Central team,” said Wilbur. “Being seeded second and given an underdog status may have also helped our kids. Sometimes it’s better to be the hunter than it is the hunted.”
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Kickapoo’s No. 1 doubles team, Caden Hillman and Patrick Terry, defeated Central’s Alex Shunyakov and Anthony Trimble 8-1 to jump start the Chiefs on their road to the district title. They were joined in the winner’s circle by their No. 3 doubles team, Jonathan Chou and Jackson Musil, who knocked off the Bulldog’s Ethan Gravely and Cole Brodeur 8-4.
Central’s No. 2 doubles team, Pranav Mandava and John Park, kept the district final’s scoring close, 2-1, by downing Kickapoo’s Hart Hillman and Cayden Danzer 8-6.
But unlike their effort last week during conference tournament play Kickapoo would go on to finish off the Bulldogs 5-1 during singles competition.
Grabbing singles victories for the Chiefs were Caden Hillman (No. 1) who defeated Pranav Mandava 6-2,6-2; Hart Hillman (No. 3) who defeated Anthony Trimble 6-3, 6-3; and Aaron Ravela (up from the JV’s at No. 6) who defeated Cole Brodeur 6-3, 6-1.
It was a difficult loss for the favored Bulldogs but Central head coach Donita Cox credited Kickapoo for a great effort to grab the win and this year’s 2021 C3D5 title.
“Our kids have played pretty well this year, but not this time, it just wasn’t their day,” said Cox. “I think Kickapoo just wanted it more than we did today and to their credit, they got it.”
“We let Kickapoo get in our heads a little bit today and let the match get away from us,” added Central’s Anthony Trimble. “But I think we tried our best. It just wasn’t our day.”
First year assistant Kickapoo coach Betsy Cannella had yet another take in Wednesday’s outcome.
“It was really fun to watch the kids compete today for a district title, especially for me a first year coach,” said Cannella. “I think our kids should be very proud of themselves for what they were able to accomplish today. But I think Central should also be proud. Although they didn’t win they gave it their best effort and as a coach that’s all we can ask from our kids.”
Kickapoo now advances on to sectionals where they’ll meet a tough team from Lee’s Summit West.
“It’s going to be a tough battle for us, Lee’s Summit has a very good team,” said Wilbur. “But good things can happen for all those who believe.”
