Knights test their mettle at KOB

The Marion County High School boys tennis team tested themselves against some of the state's toughest competition last weekend at the 209 Forcht Bank King of the Bluegrass Tennis Team Championships held at the Bass-Rudd Tennis Complex at the University of Louisville.

Jesse Osbourne

Marion County High School took a group of boys tennis players to participate in the King of the Bluegrass tournament last weekend at the University of Louisville. They are, front row from left, Noah Swencki, Jordan Culver and Jacob Burdette. Back row, fro

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"This was an exciting event for the team to participate in because of the caliber level of tennis play we knew we would face," Head Coach Beverly Thomas said.

The second round of play had MCHS teamed with Highlands.

"During warm ups and the first few games in the first set, I was a little shocked of the performance of our team. I knew we had some talented players but I wasn't totally for sure how we would respond against more experienced teams," Thomas said. "Also, I didn't know how our players would react to playing in such a grand facility at the University of Louisville campus. Unlike playing matches at home or visiting other high schools, our players were playing in front of a much larger audience."

Marion County 3, Highlands 1

Singles

Joseph George (MC) won his match in a split set tiebreaker.

Jordan Culver won his match in two sets.

Doubles

Trey Hamilton/Austin Spalding (MC) were defeated.

Noah Swencki/Jacob Burdette (MC) won their match in a two set tiebreaker.

After a victory over Highlands, Thomas said spectators were beginning to ask where Marion County was.

In their next match, Marion County faced Cincinnati St. Xavier, a school that has an enrollment of 1,600 boys, two varsity tennis squads and two junior varsity squads.  

The team Marion County faced consisted of both varsity "B" and junior varsity "A" players.

"Even on games we lost, we earned game points and had extensive volleys with opponents," Thomas said.  

Marion County 1, Cincinnati St. Xavier 3

Singles

Joseph George (MC) lost his match.

Jordan Culver (MC) lost his match.

Trey Hamilton/Austin Spalding (MC) won their match.

Noah Swencki/Jacob Burdette lost their match in a two set tiebreaker.

Marion County 1, Paducah Tilghman 3

Jordan Culver (MC) lost his match.

Alex Spalding (MC) lost his match.

Austin Spalding/Trey Hamilton (MC) lost their match.

Noah Swencki/Jacob Burdette (MC) won their match in a two set tiebreaker.

In tournament play Joseph George won one and lost one. Jordan Culver won one and lost two. Alex Spalding lost one. Trey Hamilton and Austin Spalding won one and lost two. Noah Swencki and Jacob Burdette had three tiebreakers on their way to winning two and losing one.

"Overall very exciting tennis play and hopefully a confidence booster as our players enter conference play this week," Thomas said.

In other matches last week:

Marion County 5, Central Hardin 0

Singles

Joseph George (MC) defeated Tyler Sweat (6-4) (6-1)

Jordan Culver (MC) defeated Alex Thalacker (6-1) (6-1)

Alex Spalding (MC) defeated Kamen Kannapel

Doubles

Trey Hamilton/Alex Mayo (MC) defeated Joe Cox/Dean Gibson (6-2) (6-2)

Noah Swencki/Jacob Burdette (MC) defeated Kevin Britt/Tad Skaggs (6-2) (6-2)

Exhibition matches were also played and MCHS was defeated in two singles and one doubles match up.

"Central Hardin is in our region, however their number one singles and number one doubles were not with the team when they traveled to Marion County," Thomas said.

Marion County 5, Campbellsville 0

Singles

Joseph George (MC) defeated Bradley Harris (6-2) (6-0)

Jordan Culver (MC) defeated Austin Summers (6-1) (6-0)

Alex Mayo (MC) defeated Vincent Taylor (6-0) (6-0)

Doubles

Trey Hamilton/Alex Mayo (MC) defeated Dennis Sacco/Doug Bunch (6-0) (6-0)

Noah Swencki/Jacob Burdette defeated Chris Milby/MaKenzie (6-0) (6-0)

Exhibition

Singles

Kurt Dulmage and Daniel Dos both secured wins for the MCHS team in their exhibition matches.

Marion County 5, Adair County 0

Singles

Joseph George (MC) defeated John Evans (6-0) (6-0)

Jordan Culver (MC) defeated Stephen Chafin (6-0) (6-2)

Alex Mayo (MC) defeated Andrew Wooley (6-1) (6-0)

Doubles

Trey Hamilton/Austin Spalding (MC) defeated Blake Aaron/Matt Poff (6-1) (6-1)

Noah Swencki/Jacob Burdette (MC) defeated Daniel Lawless/Luke King (6-0) (6-0)

The Knights are seeded high in the Heartland Conference tournament. Joseph George was seeded second overall, behind Cyrus Moslemi of Washington County. Jordan Culver was seeded fourth overall behind Bradley Harris of Campbellsville.

Austin Spalding and Trey Hamilton claimed the top overall seed for doubles teams. Noah Swencki and Jacob Burdette claimed second overall for doubles.

Check www.lebanonenterprise.com for updates on conference play on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Knights travel to Nelson County on Monday of next week. They host Adair County on Tuesday of next week.