LAKEWOOD - Head coach Maryann Thorpe's Kennedy Catholic tennis team sparkled in the sun at Clover Park High School and the Lakewood Racquet Club in May 19th concluding action of the Class 3A West Central III/Southwest II bi-district tennis tournament.
Defending state boys champions Mitchell and Jamie Thorp earned another district championship with a 6-0, 6-4, defeat of Jacob Yanello and Joel Richardson of Lakes High School. In the semifinal match, the Thorp brothers prevailed in a 6-0, 6-2, control of I. Jones and Z. Jones of Columbia River.
Thorp and Thorp opened bi-district by bageling Cooper and Ho of Camas in two sets, 6-0, 6-0.
Colton Erho and Anthony Brimble of Eastmont are the first state foes waiting for the Thorp bothers.
The Lancers were also successful in landing two boys singles slots to state which will be held at Kamiakin High School and the Tri-City Court Club in Kennewick on May 25-26.
Vincent Viloria began his district run by out stroking Chris Perez of the Columbia River Chieftains, 6-1, 6-0. Facing a much more formidable foe in his next match, Viloria was sent to the consolation bracket in a 6-3, 6-3, loss to P. Koessler of Wilson (Tacoma).
Facing a loser-out, winner-to-state match, the resilient Lancer regrouped to eliminate Trong Nguyen of Fort Vancouver, 7-5, 6-1. After a rugged first set, the JFK athlete made adjustments to gain good control in the second set.
With a state berth assured, Viloria calmly stroked past Jeremy Marsh of Timberline, 6-1, 6-1, to earn the WCD/SW fourth seed to state. Aaron Farmer of West Valley will be Viloria's first opponent at state.
Taas Sribhibhadh joined the previously named trio of Lancers at state by working himself back through the consolation bracket. Controlling the pace from the start, Sribhibhadh opened bi-district with a 6-0, 6-0, win against C. Lewis of Peninsula.
T. Jones of Mountain View then outlasted the JFK player, 6-2, 6-4, forcing Sribhibhadh into the consolation bracket where he lost, 6-3, 6-3, to J. Richardson of Lakes in the third-fifth seeding match.
Frederik Strabo of Seattle Prep awaits his encounter at state with Sribhibhadh on May 25.
