INDEPENDENCE — Bobbi Sinclair battled for two hours, but the Iola senior fell just short of advancing past the regional tournament after losing to Chanute’s Sage Collins on Friday (6-3, 3-6, 9-11 tiebreaker).
“(Sinclair) walked off the court and there was nothing negative I could tell her,” coach Jenn Bycroft said. “I know being a senior, she wanted to get that win … but she played tough.”
The loss ends Sinclair’s high school tennis career after four years under Bycroft’s direction.
Although Sinclair was unable to reach her ultimate goal of the state tournament, Bycroft said her No. 1 singles player this season exemplified everything a coach could want in an athlete.
From maturity to physical endurance to determination, Sinclair showed it all in a grueling, back-and-forth match that needed a tiebreaker to determine a winner.
Even the tiebreaker, which is supposed to go to 10, was pushed to the limit. Sinclair and Collins were tied at 9 when Collins made her final push to take the match.
“I obviously didn’t get that last game, but I’m not going to let it get me down because I’m very proud of myself and how I’ve improved over the past four years,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair added she is looking to continue her tennis career when she heads off to college next year. Sinclair hasn’t decided where she will play yet, but Bycroft is confident she will be successful no matter where she goes — both on and off the court.
“She’s one of those kids that you don’t want her season to end,” Bycroft said. “She absolutely gives 110 percent … She’ll be OK. She’s got a very promising and bright future ahead of her.”
Sinclair headlines Iola tennis’ trip to regionals
