By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
There's still work to be done, but Hayden's boys tennis team has already guaranteed itself of a successful weekend in the Class 4A state tournament at Kossover Tennis Center.
Junior Michael Sandstrom and sophomore Gus Glotzbach advanced to Saturday's doubles semifinals with two straight wins while senior Johnny Holloway and junior Patrick Gorman assured themselves of state medals with a 2-1 record Friday.
Hayden doubles partners Gus Glotzbach (front) and Michael Sandstrom slap hands after closing out Friday's quarterfinal doubles victory in the Class 4A state tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Sandstrom and Glotzbach, now 26-9, advanced to the semifinals with a 6-2, 6-4 quarterfinal victory over McPherson senior Alex Houston and junior Wesley Wurm while Holloway and Gorman (18-18) made it to Saturday's place rounds with a hard-earned 9-8 (7-5 in the tiebreaker) consolation victory over El Dorado juniors John Ferley and Logan Foulkes.
"We've got quite a few playing Saturday and probably the most important thing is the kids gave it their all,'' Hayden coach James Sandstrom said. "And really, at the end of the day, that's all I can ask as a coach is they give it their all and we came out on the right side of quite a few matches today, so it's good.''
Michael Sandstrom, who placed fifth in 4A doubles two years ago as a freshman, and Glotzbach, playing in his first state tournament, were installed as the No. 3 seed, but James Sandstrom said the high seed guaranteed the Wildcat pair of nothing.
"With expectation comes some pressure, so you're overcoming your opponent, you're overcoming pressure'' he said. "Sometimes kids respond differently to that and thankfully Gus and Michael played real well and dealt with the pressure.''
"We just wanted to keep the ball in play and wait for (the other team) to mess up, and not go for too much and be patient,'' Michael Sandstrom said.
Next up is a Saturday semifinal match against Circle seniors Noah Allison and Drew Middleton (14-3).
Sandstrom said now the key for him and Glotzbach is to relax and just play their game.
"I'm definitely more relieved now that we're in (the semis) than before,'' he said.
Glotzbach admitted that the day started with some nerves, but he said he was able to fight through the butterflies.
"I was (nervous) coming into it, but Michael's helped me calm down a lot,'' Glotzbach said. "He told me to be patient and enjoy the moment.''
Hayden senior Johnny Holloway returns a shot in Friday's Class 4A state tennis tournament at Kossover Tennis Center. Holloway and doubles partner Patrick Gorman have assured themselves of state medals. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
The performance of Holloway and Gorman had to be considered somewhat of a surprise given the fact that both players are not only competing at state for the first time but are in their first year playing tennis.
"I knew I had two kids who were athletic, that were coachable and great glue guys,'' James Sandstrom said. "They came together really, really well as a team and fought hard and they've exceeded my expectations.''
Holloway and Gorman will face McPherson's Houston and Wurm in their first match on Saturday.
Hayden junior singles player Tyler Broxterman went 0-2 on Friday and was eliminated from the state tourney.
CLASS 4A TENNIS Saturday's semifinal pairings
SINGLES
Fox, McPherson (24-11), vs. Groff, Independence (26-10); Spriggs, Parsons (26-5), vs. Lohrentz, Buhler (15-7).
DOUBLES
Gibson/Glazner, McPherson (28-7), vs. Morris/Julian, Independence (18-8); Allison/Middleton, Circle (14-3), vs. Sandstrom/Glotzbach, Hayden (26-9).
