By Jeff Cali | The Ada News
The Ada High School boys tennis team put an exclamation point on a tough 2021 spring season with a fourth-place finish at the Class 5A State Tournament scoring 14 points while Crossings Christian claimed the crown with 29 team tallies.
“I thought the boys had an outstanding season. I was extremely proud of them,” said Ada head coach Terry Swopes. “They had to deal with a lot of adversity this season, from health concerns and injuries to changing locations right in the middle of regionals.”
Swopes said he was forced to trot out a ton of different lineups during the 2021 season — more than he ever remembers.
“They had to play multiple positions all season,” Swopes said. “Every single one of them handled it and stepped up and five of them were rookies when it came to high school tennis.”
The Cougars were also crowned the 2021 Class 5A State Academic champions.
The Cougars captured a pair of third-place victories at the state tournament in No. 1 Doubles and No. 2 Doubles. Halston Redwine and Noah Watkins – Ada’s only senior — started their Saturday off with a loss in a No. 1 Doubles semifinals match before disposing of Brinn Davis Nick Johnson of Duncan 6-2,6-4 in the third-place match. In No. 2 Doubles, Ada partners Tate Danielson and Jackson Swopes dropped a 6-2, 6-0 decision in the semifinals before making a strong rally with a 6-2, 4-6, 6-0 victory over the Claremore combo of Parker Green and Beau Parsons in a long third-place match.
Boady Ross of won a pair of matches on Saturday in No. 2 Singles by defeating Aaron Dotson of rival McAlester 6-2, 6-3 in the consolation quarterfinals and then outlasted Duke Brim of Heritage Hall 7-5,7-6 for seventh place. In No. 1 Singles, Neel Guatam of Durant got the best of Ada’s Wyatt Brown 6-0,6-1 in a consolation quarterfinals matchup.
On the girls courts, the Lady Cougars tennis team, competing in just three divisions finished eighth at the Class 5A State tennis tournament held lat the Oklahoma City Tennis Center.
Just being able to participate at state meant a lot to coach Swopes after last year’s entire spring season was wiped out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was a great season. It was great to even have a season,” Swopes said. “I’m really proud of the girls.”
Ada’s No. 2 Doubles team of sophomore Ava Bolin and senior Ahna Redwine led the Lady Cougars at state as the pair battled all the way to the No. 2 Doubles championship match before Cascia Hall’s Layla Drotar and Katie Stump turned back the Ada pair 6-3, 7-5 in a hard-fought battle and finished their season with an 18-3 record.
“Ahna and Ava were a strong No. 2 doubles team,” Swopes said. “We had chances in the final, but ultimately fell to a good team.”
In No. 1 Doubles, Lawton McArthur’s Abby Albert and Kaylynn Kemna defeated the Ada senior combo of Gentri Langley and Ella Summers 6-2,6-4 in the seventh-place match. Langley and Summers finished the spring with a 27-13 mark.Claire Duginski of Bishop McGuinness got past Ada junior Macy Lowrance 6-2, 6-4 in a No. 2 Singles elimination match.
