PARSONS — Third time was a charm for Iola High senior Kent Toland.
Toland played in his third No. 1 singles’ championship match in as many Southeast Kansas League tennis tournaments on Thursday. Twice he was denied by Independence High players.
Not in 2010. Toland remained undefeated for the season by beating Independence’s Nick Romans in the SEK title match. Toland won 6-2, 6-0.
“Romans was up 2-1 then I won 11 straight games. I just played consistent and aggressive throughout the match,” Toland said.
“It felt great to get the SEK championship. I was so close last year and it was one of my goals this season.”
Toland won the SEK No. 2 singles championship as a freshman. He lost to Romans in the No. 1 singles title match as a sophomore then dropped the title match last year to Independence’s Dan Porter.
Toland opened the tournament with an 8-1 win over Ben Bristley of Fort Scott. He said Bristley had played him to 8-2 once this season.
“I just focused on the first match and got on top of my game. I was very pleased with the way I played against the Coffeyville kid,” Toland said. “I played the wind very well because it was so windy Thursday.”
Toland defeated Max Manley of Coffeyville 6-1, 6-1. That put him in the championship match.
Going undefeated for the season wasn’t expected, Toland said.
“I knew if I could get through the first meet without losing it would be possible. But I usually drop at least a match at that meet,” Toland said.
Not in 2010. Toland has cruised through the regular season.
“I felt really good with my play Thursday. In the championship match, I used several lobs against Romans. My forehand was steady and my backhand shots were consistent. I focused on getting my first serves in,” he said.
Now, Toland’s focus turns to the Kansas Class 4A Regional Tournament in Parsons next Friday and Saturday. He is working to reach the Class 4A state tournament for the fourth year in a row.
IN NO. 2 SINGLES Thursday, Iola High senior Michael Middleton finished fifth with a 2-2 record. Middleton lost 8-3 to Kyle Altic of Fort Scott then defeated Colton Kessler of Labette County 8-4.
Payton Hayes of Parsons defeated Middleton 8-2. Middleton bounced back to post an 8-5 win over Brad Eastman of Coffeyville.
“Kent played well all day long. Michael was seeded fifth going in and that’s where he finished,” said Lyle Kern, Iola tennis coach.
Iola’s No. 1 doubles team of seniors Chase Vaughn and Alec Peterson lost 8-5 to Columbus’ Nick Holeman and Cody Spainhower. The Iola pair finished ninth.
In No. 2 doubles, freshmen Zeph Larney and Garrett Catron were seeded seventh and took seventh with a 1-2 record. The lost 8-1 to Chanute’s Ian Cheshier and Derick Manley and lost 8-0 to Fort Scott’s Dustin Willard and Dillon Peel.
Larney and Catron came back to get an 8-3 victory over Yoseph Lee and Brayden Peterson of Columbus.
“I was pleased with the way our No. 1 doubles team played today. Alec played the net more than he has all year and that is what we have been working on,” Kern said.
At next week’s regional, it will be singles and doubles. There are no No. 1 and No. 2 divisions.
Teams in the regional are Iola, Chanute, Labette County, Coffeyville, Columbus, Fort Scott, Independence, Ottawa, Paola and Parsons. The top six singles players and the top six doubles teams advance to the state tournament May 14-15 in Pratt.
