Tennis Players Win Trio Of District Titles

FORT SMITH — Farmington and Prairie Grove both captured district titles in the District 4A-4 conference tennis tournament on Oct. 8 at Creekmore Tennis Center in Fort Smith.

Farmington’s Chase Holiman, a senior, won the boys district singles while senior Haley Maxwell and junior Teah Flynn from Farmington captured the girls doubles title and Maria Maraver, an exchange student from Spain, won the girls district singles for Prairie Grove.

All four qualified for the state 4A tennis tournament Oct. 21-22 at Arkadelphia.

Others among the top three in each division advancing to state tournament play were Parker Galligan, of Prairie Grove, third place in boys singles; Jenifer Palmer, of Farmington, third place in girls singles; and Will Warren and Jeremy Mueller, of Farmington, who finished in third place for boys doubles.

Warren’s doubles partner John Bunyard moved after the two compiled a 6-6 record, opening the door for Mueller, who barely had time to purchase a tennis racket and get oriented on the court before tournament play began. Using his height and long wingspan, Mueller adapted quickly and the new tandem finished district sporting a 2-1 record with a berth in the state tourney.

Holiman came into the tournament with the No. 1 seed and a bye in the first round. He won his first match against Dardanelle, 6-0, 6-0, and defeated Subiaco in the semi-finals, 6-0, 6-0. Holiman won the title in a match with long rallies against Zane Mezzer, of Mena, 6-7, 6-1, 6-2. Holiman has now won 13 matches against only two losses and likes the opportunity set before him.

“I think I have a decent chance as long as I keep playing the way I’ve been and concentrate,” Holiman said.

Maxwell and Flynn, also seeded No. 1, won against Prairie Grove, 6- 0, 6- 0, defeated Mena, 6-0, 6-3, and defeated Whitley Madison and Valentine Focant, of Pottsville, in the finals, 6-3, 6-2.

Maxwell said her favorite memory thus far of her involvement in Cardinal tennis was going to state last year (in singles).

“It was just all girls so we just got to bond together overnight,” Maxwell said.

The pair bring a 12- 0 record into the state tournament.

Farmington coach Matt Mahan said his team played well throughout the day.

“It’s been a good day and they’ve been hitting the ball well,” Mahan said.

Maraver, another No. 1 seed, defeated Farmington in her first match, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, defeated Dardanelle, 6-4, 6-2, and won against Pottsville freshman Celeste Parker in the championship match, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Parker defeated Maraver’s teammate, Macey Kultgen, 6-1, 7-5, and Farmington’s Jennifer Palmer, 6-4, 7-5, to reach the finals.

Maraver is accustomed to playing just for fun at home in Spain and is enjoying the competition and travel involved in American high school athletics. She has a 5-2 record and has split time with the Lady Tiger volleyball program. Maraver is excited about the prospect of competing for an individual state championship.

“I will work hard for that,” Maraver said.

In other girls singles matches, Farmington’s Kaylee Kyger defeated Pottsville senior Bethany Clair in the first round and finished with an 8-1 season record falling just short of state. Farmington’s second girls doubles team of Samantha Troilo and Patti Bruno also posted a fine 10-3 record but did not qualify for state.

In boys singles Jeffrey Kutter won his first-round match, 8-0, over a Subiaco opponent but dropped a second- round match and finished with an 8-4 record.

Dougan said she was pleased with her kids’ efforts.