Two-time state runner-up falls
Published 12:00 am Saturday, June 3, 2000
LEXINGTON A tiger feasted on a powerful bull in Fridays quarterfinals at the Kentucky High School State Tennis Championships at Downing/Nelson Tennis Complex on the University of Kentuckys campus. The tiger in this situation was defending state champion Johnny Lu of Kentucky Country Day; the bull was emotional two-time state runner-up Kyle True of Bowling Green. Setting up this rematch of the 1999 state title was Trues 6-0, 6-1 victory over Paducah Tilghmans Ches Gibson. But Lu came out strong and resembled a tiger striking at key opportunities to break True early and often, winning 6-1, 6-0.I came out and held my serve, said Lu, who advanced to the semifinals with the victory. This surprised me, but I pinned him down early and kept him out of his game. In six service opportunities, True was only able to hold his once. I thought I got a few key points early, which I felt let the wind out of him, Lu said. True was visibly upset with his performance on the court, throwing off his hat after falling behind 5-0 in the second set. After the game, True declined to talk to the media, saying, I am still angry and dont want to talk now; call me sometime next week. True was the last Second Region player alive in the tournament. Glasgows Greg Froggett lost to No. 4 seed Jake Kirts of Shelby County 6-2, 6-0; Greenwoods Christina Hall also felt the sting of defeat early Friday morning after being downed by No. 7 seed Caroline Winebrenner of St. Francis High School 6-2, 7-5.I did a really big warm-up to get ready for the state tournament, Hall said following her loss. By Wednesday of this week, my body felt exhausted, which I felt affected my serve along with a sore shoulder. Hall is looking to participate in the Joe Creason Tennis Tournament in Louisville next weekend. I am going to try to get my confidence back up, she said. My game was definitely not on today. On the doubles side, Glasgows James Ralph Heltsley and Woods Nash were defeated by the No. 1-seeded pair of Rob Gould and Todd Crawford of Paducah Tilghman. Greenwoods tandem of Elizabeth Cummins and Leslie Hazle suffered a 6-2, 6-3 loss to No. 2 seed Ashley Kroh and Tori Malone from Louisville Sacred Heart. They are a really good team, said Leslie Hazle. We did a lot better against them than people expected. During the game, we pressured them a couple of times but they came out on top.