From Coach Bob Long:
      .The Chillicothe boys' tennis team (5-4) traveled to St Joseph Wednesday, April 30 for the Benton-Savannah tournament at Noyes Courts. The Hornets were the third seed in the eight team field. Each match consists of two singles and three doubles. In the first round, Chillicothe drew the sixth seeded Bulldogs of Trenton. Gabe Poling made quick work of the Bulldog singles player, Jacob Marley, 10-0. Nathan Sims, playing in the number two singles position defeated Leighton Fletcher of Trenton, 10-5. Nate McKiddy and Garrett Peterson struggled against the duo of Isaiah Swann and Alex Davis, losing 4-10. Likewise, Isaiah Barron and Lane Bonderer lost to Wilson Utley and Chanse Houghton, 6-10. The number three doubles was to be the deciding match. Steen Anthony and Cody Evans defeated Gannon Albrecht and Tyler Lynch in a nail-biter, 11-9. The second round opponent, and eventual tournament winner, was Maryville. Gabe Poling defeated Maryville's number one player and tournament number one singles' player, Ben Goecken, 10-0. Nathan Sims lost in the number two singles, 5-10. In doubles, Maryville took all three matches, 6-10, 2-10, and 2-10. The third round match against Savannah was a battle for third place. The Savages bested the Hornets, 4-1, leaving Chillicothe with the fourth place finish. Gabe Poling defeated his Savannah opponent, 10-0, securing the individual singles first place medal. Nathan Sims began before all of the doubles competitions, but was still going after their matches were decided. He eventually lost in a tie-breaker 10-11 (3-7). Chillicothe again lost all three doubles matches, 2-10, 0-10, and 2-10.
     Gabe Poling brought his season singles record up to 9-0. With the format, many of the teams didn't play their top players in singles (to avoid Gabe) and with injuries to Quinten Lewis and Brandon Lamp, Chillicothe faced higher ranked players most of the day. It was a first time experience for the majority of the team and prepares us for what is in store next week with conference match ups and the conference tournament. Nathan Sims continued battling in his final singles match despite the fourth place finish already being decided. Lane Bonderer, Steen Anthony, and Cody Evans all moved up in the rotation and played competitively.