Giving it everything she had, Owensboro Catholic’s Ella Cason pushed the eventual girls’ singles state winner, Sydney Zakic, to tiebreakers before narrowly losing (2-6, 6-3, 1-0 (9-11)). Her performance capped off an impressive outing by Owensboro Catholic. For the girls’ doubles, Sophia Merchant and Meredith Traylor dropped their opening match, while Madison Clark and Lexi Moyers won their first two matches, before bowing out in the round of 16.
“Our standout was Ella Cason. She went to a third-set tiebreaker and had opportunities to win that match,” Owensboro Catholic head coach Noel Clayton said. “The girl who beat her won the state. That speaks highly of how close Ella was, and I know it’s disappointing for everyone, but also the fact that she can play at that level, shows that she was someone who could have won the State Tournament potentially.”
On the boys’ singles side, Jack Haines won his opener before losing in the second round. The boys’ doubles team of Henry Haines and Ollie Haines won their first match when their opponents withdrew, before losing in the second round. Houston Danzer and Joseph Merchant reached the round of 16 before losing the final set in tiebreakers.
“I was really happy with how everyone played,” Clayton said. “I think overall, we exceeded expectations. We had a good week and represented the school well.
Cason and Danzer were both named to the All-State team, while Clayton was voted the Kentucky High School Coaches Association Boys’ Coach of the Year.
“We had a good year. We had a young team on the boys’ side,” Clayton said. “For us to have the season that we had, playing a tough schedule, I think we accomplished a lot. We had a strong coaching staff. They were very helpful in the process, and that helps. …It is satisfying for the other coaches to feel you’re worthy of that honor. To have it with some of my seniors making All-State at the same awards ceremony was also fun.”
Daviess County’s Landon McDuffee and Emmie Kate Williams, who were also in attendance, both lost their opener in singles, while the doubles team of Alexa Salamah and Maddie Meyer fell in the opening round. Apollo’s Sophie Jennings lost her opener in singles, while Owensboro’s John Clay Ford reached the second round of boys’ singles.
Next up is the team competition, and Owensboro Catholic’s boys’ team and Daviess County’s girls’ teams will both be in attendance.
