Edo Martelli did not drop a single game in route to the 321 A Regional Singles title. The Sterling Senior, who is an exchange student from Italy, won his all six of matches 6-0 Friday afternoon in the 95 degree heat. And Black Bears head coach Curtis Thompson says it's not even his primary sport.
"But he's awful good for just playing it for fun ans soccer being his main sport," said Thompson. "And besides being a good player himself, he's helped the whole team to improve."
Martelli improved to 28-1 on the season, after beating Trego Community's Isaiah Faberzius 6-0, 6-0 in the championship. But the Eagles freshman is also having an impressive season. He will take a 21-3 mark into state.
In the third place match, Jacob Weber of Trego knocked off Isaac Herzog of Ellsworth 6-2 and 6-1. In the fifth place match it was Seth Humphrey's of Sterling beating Marc Waite of Ellinwood 6-1 and 6-0. All six player advance to next weeks 321A state tournament at the Riverside Tennis Complex in Wichita.
On the doubles side, the team of Benn Kermer abd Layne Bieberley had a pretty easy go of it, winning their championship match 6-2 and 6-1 over Jarde Cullop and Taylor Fair of Sterling.
"It was a good day over all," said Kirmer. "I wish we could have got more of our team in, but it turned out to be a good day."
In the third place match, the team of Jake Jorderston and Keaton Prather of Sterling beat Kale Clawson and Kyle Blakeslee of Ellinwood 6-2 and 6-1. In the fifth place game it was Taylor Bahan and Josh Bahr of Ellsworth, over Angus Dufton and Tyler Lamb of Ellsworth 6-3 and 6-4. All six of those teams also advance to state.
In the team standings Sterling bested Trego by 9 points. Ellsworth was third, followed by Central Plains, Ellinwood, Russell and Hoisington.
