HAYS — The Great Bend High School Panthers varsity tennis team came through with their best outing of the 2011 season on Monday at the Hays Invitational.

The Panthers took home second place with 27 points, narrowly losing to first-place Liberal (29). Abilene placed third and Hays (Gold) was fourth in the team standings, where seven schools participated, including two from the host school.

Second place was the catchword for GBHS on this day as Noel Rodriguez took second in No. 1 singles, Ramon Garcia took second in No. 2 singles and the Panthers’ No. 2 doubles combination (Greg Hildebrand and Adam Neeland) also finished as runner-up.

I’m very proud of the way that everyone played today,” Great Bend head coach Shannon Schartz said. “Greg Hildebrand played in his first varsity match for Great Bend and his first time in doubles and did a great job.

“Our No. 2 doubles team led Liberal 5-2 when Liberal rallied and narrowly won in a tiebreaker. We were happy about sweeping Hays in all four matches.”

                                                                    — Mack McClure

Hays Invitational

Tennis Tournament

At Hays

Monday

     1. Liberal 29, 2. Great Bend 27, 3. Abilene 24, 4. Hays (Gold) 20, 5. Trego 14, 6. Scott City 13, 7. Russell 9, 8. Hays (Maroon) 8

Great Bend results

     No. 1 singles—Noel Rodriguez (2-1), second place; defeated Trego 6-4, defeated Hays (Gold) 6-4, lost to Abilene 6-1

     No. 2 singles—Ramon Garcia (2-1), second place; defeated Trego 6-0, defeated Hays (Gold) 6-4, lost to Liberal 6-1

     No. 1 doubles—Nick Moyers & Austin Jacobs (3-1), third place; lost to Trego 6-4, defeated Russell 6-0, defeated Abilene 6-2, defeated Hays (Gold) 6-5 (7-3)

     No. 2 doubles—Greg Hildebrand & Adam Neeland (2-1), second place; defeated Trego 6-2, defeated Hays (Gold) 6-5 (7-1), lost to Liberal 6-5 (7-4)