The second go-around at the State tennis tournament figures to have a different feel to it for Emporia High senior Kyle deBlonk.
A season ago, deBlonk made his first appearance at the State tournament when he teamed with Thomas Silkman in doubles play. The pair lost both of their matches on the first day to make an earlier-than-hoped-for exit from the tournament.
This year, deBlonk and his new doubles partner, fellow senior Grant Price, head into the Class 5A State tournament, which will begin Friday at the Emporia High tennis courts,.After a second-place finish at last week’s Regional, deBlonk said he expected different results — and a different mentality — this time around.
“I think experience is a big part of it,” deBlonk said. “I expect a lot more out of myself. There are no nerves, you just go out and play.
“Having gone once before is a big factor, because it helps you have a clear mind so you can just play tennis.”
Price and deBlonk aren’t the only EHS qualifiers, however, as freshman Chris Reimer also qualified for the State meet last week as well.
For deBlonk, he said his and Price’s goals all start with making it to Saturday play, which means winning a couple matches on Friday to set themselves up for the possibility of placing in the top 5 after that.
Making that happen will mean playing with more energy than their opponents, he said.
“We have to come out and play with energy,” he said, “and not get frustrated if something doesn’t go our way. Grant and I have been playing a lot together, and we hope to come out with a lot of energy. If we do, we should have a great time.”
If this week’s practices are any indication, deBlonk and Price shouldn’t have too much trouble.
EHS coach Matt Irby said by all indications, practices since Regionals have gone well, with all three State qualifiers using the time to shore up some problem areas with their games.
“We’ve actually had a pretty nice week of practice, I think,” Irby said. “We’ve been able to address some areas that we needed to work on — intensity, footwork, taking different shots — and the guys seem loose and ready to go.
“Now we’ll just have to see how they do.”
The situation is decidedly different for Reimer, who made it to the State tournament in his first attempt thanks to a fourth-place finish in singles play at Regionals.
The excitement of making it to State — “Coach (Irby) told me to get the big grin off my face after I made it to State,” Reimer said with a laugh. — is met with the humbling knowledge that he will be facing the top tennis talent the state has to offer.
“This was something that I wanted pretty badly,” Reimer said. “But I know I’ll be playing against the best guys, so I’ll have to play really well to win.”
But don’t expect Reimer to be a pushover when he steps onto the court. He has the same goals as every other player that will be there.
“Being a freshman takes a lot of pressure off me,” Reimer said, “but at the same time, I think I can win. I’m not going just to mess around. I want to win too.”
Play begins at the Emporia High tennis courts at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Friday. The consolation and championship rounds will take place on Saturday.