Cair Paravel's Fay reaches goal, Hayden's Blaser, Luke find 'connection' in state tennis

PRAIRE VILLAGE — Relentless practice in the grueling hot months led Cair Paravel’s Drew Fay to this moment. The sophomore worked at least two hours a day in the summertime perfecting his craft for this weekend.

The Class 3-1A State Championship Tennis Tournament featured some incredible performances which included Fay’s play. Fay finished in fourth place overall which included two big-time wins on Friday.

He lost to Kansas City Christian’s Caleb Bartels 6-0, 6-1 in the semifinal on Saturday morning. Bartels would go on to win his second consecutive state title. Fay would move to the third place match where precise shots pushed Wichita Collegiate’s Charlie Gentile, but it wouldn’t be enough. Fay settled for fourth place after losing to Gentile 6-2, 6-1.

“My goal coming in was to finish fourth. I played pretty well, I achieved my goal so I am not too upset about it,” Fay said.

With the first-place match featuring a pair of seniors, eyes turned to Fay and Gentile as a possible future match for a state title. Gentile, who is also a sophomore, was impressive with drop shots and his serving.

Although Fay wanted more, he spoke intelligently about what he can learn from his defeats to Bartels and Gentile so that he can become an even better player.

Shawnee Heights baseball: Standout Deacon Pomeroy excels in the 'most challenging' position

“It shows that this is achievable if I keep putting work in. They are really under control and patient,” Fay described. “I think I need to work on that a little bit. It just shows me what I can become if I really work at it.”

Hitting backhands and serves were the aspects of Fay’s game that he emphasized last summer. He reaped the fruits of his labor this weekend in Kansas City’s suburb. He was also the top finisher from the Topeka-area regardless of class this weekend.

Washburn Rural: Josh Sulzen-Watson remained patient through injury to become top thrower

Hayden's Joseph Luke and Chase Blaser succeed on creating own energy

Screaming in jubilation and cheers rang around the Harmon Park Tennis Complex through Saturday’s Class 3-1A action. There was one doubles pair that could be heard the most throughout the grounds.

“Let’s go Joe,” Hayden’s Chase Blaser would shout to his doubles partner, Joseph Luke.

The energy that the pair plays with is infectious. It’s a way for them to stay engaged in the action and play their best tennis.

It all started when Hayden played a regular season tournament in Wichita. Blaser and Luke found themselves struggling to put points on the board, but when they would pump each other up, they found success.

“Being loud is our way of gaining energy,” Blaser said. “If I keep it to myself, I am just gonna fall into myself. Staying pumped up with Joe and keeping up the energy and having fun is the way to go.”

The energy between the two Wildcats propelled them all the way through the consolation bracket. The duo was the No. 18 seed and played well beyond that mark. After taking their first round match 6-1, 6-3, Blaser and Luke lost their second round matchup.

The doubles pair would go on to peel off five straight wins to claim fifth place. They placed the best out of any doubles team from the Topeka-area out of all classes.

The fifth place match was where they were tested the most.

Smoky Valley’s Ezekiel Baker and Gabriel Baker pushed Blaser and Luke to the brink, but Hayden came out on top 9-7. It was a familiar competition as the two played each other in the regional tournament with the Smoky Valley pair getting the best of the two Wildcats.

“We went to a tiebreak with them in regionals,” Blaser said. “We knew it was going to a tough one, we knew it was going to be a fun one. It made all expectations."

The familiarity between the two teams created a great tennis atmosphere with Blaser and Luke coming out on top in the end. When the final point was scored, Blaser and Luke hugged each other like two fighters giving it their all after an exhausting day.

“We knew it was going to be a battle and I am glad we pulled it out,” Luke said.

Blaser and Luke’s continuity has only grown from the beginning of the season. Blaser, who is a junior, leaned heavily on Luke’s experience. This was the third straight year that Luke secured a medal at the state tournament. The senior happily helped Blaser learn the ropes of playing tennis at a high level in these ultra-competitive high school tournaments.

“I’ve had three doubles partners across the past three years. The most important thing is getting that connection,” Luke said. “I feel like me and Chase caught that pretty early. We have a really good connection.”

High school sports: Here are the top performances from May 6-May 11

State Tournament results for Topeka-area players

Class 6A

Dylan Dodge, Washburn Rural: Did not place (1-2)

Keegan Knudtson, Washburn Rural: Did not place (0-2)

Lawsen Lobatos-Dick and Dylan Willingham, Washburn Rural: 6th place (3-2)

Cale Deutscher and Brayden Kohls, Washburn Rural: Did not place (1-2)

Tate Hodges and Alex Raymond, Topeka High: Did not place (1-2)

Class 5A

James Maag, Topeka West: 9th place (5-2)

Gavin Dutton, Seaman: Did not place (0-2)

Caden McGee and Caleb Weybrew, Topeka West: 8th place (3-3)

Alex Austin and Roscoe Poyner, Shawnee Heights: Did not place (0-2)

Class 3-1A

Drew Fay, Cair Paravel: 4th place (2-2)

Evan George, Hayden: Did not place (2-2)

Joseph Luke and Chase Blaser, Hayden: 5th place (6-1)

Liam Keating covers high school sports for The Topeka Capital-Journal. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Cair Paravel's Drew Fay leads Topeka-area in state tennis tournament