Journal Staff Report

The 1999 boys tennis season came to a close recently at Regionals in Grand Junction. No Panther players advanced to State.

However, first-year coach Jeff Bollinger reported progress was made through the season.

"I thought we improved with each match," Bollinger said. "We have some good players out and we hope to bring in some more new ones into the program next fall."

One of the surprises was no. 3 singles player Billy Innis.

He advanced to the quarterfinals but lost 3-6, 3-6 to a Montrose player. The highlight came when he upset the third-seed (Central of Grand Junction) 6-1, 6-0.

"It was his third match of the day (because of playback). He was just exhausted but he played tough. Billy turned out to be our best and most consistent player," he added.

No. 2 singles Jeff Anderson, only a freshman, showed a lot of improvement through the season. He won his first match of the day against Delta 6-3, 6-1 but lost 0-6, 0-6 to Central in the quarterfinals.

No. 1 doubles J.C. Keetso and Troy Tanner won easily in the first round with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Delta. In the quarterfinals they lost a hard-fought match to Paonia 6-7, 6-4, 2-6.

"They battled hard but lost some critical points in the first set. That really hurt us. But they played great at the net. They had trouble serving," Bollinger remarked.

No. 2 doubles David Wilcken and Keegan Moore beat Delta 6-4, 6-2 in the first round but fell 2-6, 6-4, 4-6 in the quarterfinals to Hotchkiss.

No. 3 doubles Devin Perkins and Shawn Carey defeated Delta 6-3, 7-5. They lost to Aspen 6-3, 2-6, 2-6. Bollinger said they were chosen the most improved players.