SALINA — The Great Bend High School boys’ tennis team concluded its year at the Class 5A regional tournament hosted by Salina Central on Friday.
Salina Central won the meet with 18 points while Great Bend tied for sixth place with Western Athletic Conference foe Hays with two.
“It was very tough,” GBHS head coach Shannon Schartz said of the competition at the regionals. “There were some good doubles teams and some very good singles players as well. Salina Central and McPherson are both in the top 5 teams in the state so the competition was very tough.”
The Panthers started the competition strong, with two of the four entrees winning.
“We started the first round well,” Schartz said. “Everyone played very well early in the tournament. (Nick) Moyers and (Austin) Jacobs just dominated Hays in the first round. Adam Neeland and Ky Heeke played one of the best matches they’ve had all season against a No. 6 seed. They lost in a tough tiebreaker, so they had a good chance to knockoff a top 6 seed in the tournament.
“Noel Rodriguez played a No. 9 seed and did very well.”
None of the varsity players are seniors so Schartz said he hopes to have every one back for the 2012 campaign.
“We should have everyone back, and we have some strong eighth graders coming up,” Schartz said. “We will be really tough next year.”
Moyers and Jacobs won the first match 6-1 and 6-2.
Rodriguez beat the No. 9 seed from Salina South 6-3, 5-7 (10-5).

CLASS 5A REGIONAL TENNIS
At Salina Central
Team standings
1. Salina Central, 18; 2. McPherson, 14; 3. Newton, 12; 4. Salina South, 6; 5. Liberal, 4; 6. Great Bend, 2; 6. Hays, 2.

Great Bend results
No. 1 singles — Noel Rodriguez (1-2): def. Salina South 6-3, 5-7, (10-5); lost to Salina Central 6-0, 6-0; lost to Newton 6-4, 6-0.
No. 2 singles — Ramon Garcia (0-1): lost to McPherson 6-0, 6-0.
No. 1 doubles — Nick Moyers & Austin Jacobs (1-2): def. Hays 6-1, 6-2; lost to Liberal 6-1, 6-2; lost to Newton 6-2, 6-1.
No. 2 doubles — Adam Neeland & Ky Heeke (0-1): lost to Newton 4-6, 6-3, (10-5).
— Kevin Price