Lexington is simply a statewide tennis powerhouse and they continued to prove that on Saturday as they claimed both the division two singles and doubles titles at the district tournament at Bowling Green State University.
Mason Dragos will be making his third straight appearance in state tournament next Friday at the Ohio State University. So, will Matt Youse, his teammate Tommy Barkett will be making his first trip.
Dragos dominated the singles tournament beating Alex Seibel of Celina in the semi finals (6-0,6-0) and Pierre Despart of Lima Central Catholic, an exchange student from France, (6-3,6-0) in the final.
Lexington coach Ron Schaub says again Dragos was on top of his game. “He played very, very strong and very motivated. He has a real live arm. He was really powerful. He only gave up five games in the entire tournament in four matches. He was playing real strong and hopefully he can continue it next week at the state tournament,” he said.
Schaub adds that Dragos is the only the second player to have beaten Despart this spring. “The kid had lost only one match all year before Mason played him in our team tournament match and then Mason beat him in that match and then beat him here. The kid is really good and Mason was up to the challenge. It is hard to get to the state tournament and now that that is off his back hopefully he can continue with great things next week,” said Schaub.
Dragos has lost in the quarterfinals of the state tournament the last two years.
The Lexington doubles team of Matt Youse and Tommy Barkett beat a team from Lima Shawnee in the semi finals (6-4,6-2) and a team from Ottawa Hills in final (6-1,6-4) to win the title. Schuab says they play together well.
“Matt Youse has been to the state the previous two years. He went two years ago with John Mcarthur and last year with his brother. This is his third straight new partner. He is playing with Tommy Barkett. Tommy Barkett is a talented kid. He started playing really early. He has a really good forehand and really good hands. Matt Youse is really aggressive and hits a really good ball too. Hopefully they can do really well at start too,” said Schaub.
Lexington plays Ottawa Hills in the district finals in team competition on Wednesday. A win by the Minutemen would advance them to play in the division two state semi-finals a week from Sunday in Columbus.