Just a few days after the Conference Tournament was won by the Festus Varsity Tennis team, the squad moved on to host the Individual District Tournament on May 7th. The Tigers had an excellent showing, advancing a few players. Just days after that, on May 11th, the Tigers faced Crystal City in the final round of the Team District Tournament. Then, on May 13th, the Tigers hosted the Individual Sectionals at Sunset Park.
In the Individual District Tournament, the Tigers played exceptionally well. Ryan Esparza won first place and advanced to the next round. Daxton Burgett took third. The Doubles team of Paige Wilkinson and Dustin Peters placed second and advanced as well. The team of Makenzie McJunkins and Connor Zustiak took fourth.
In the final round of the Team District Tournament, the Tigers had a first round bye because of their 8-4 record in the district. In the finals, Festus faced Crystal City and clinched the match after five wins. The Doubles team of Esparza and Burgett won 8-4 while McJunkins and Zustiak won 8-1. In Singles, Zustiak, Peters and McJunkins all won to seal the team victory.
With that win, the Tigers became the Team District Champions, earning a spot in Team Sectionals, taking place on May 18th, at Cape Notre Dame. The Tigers will face Westminster Christian Academy of St. Louis in the first round. This will be the first time the Tigers have ever advanced to Team Sectionals.
The results of the Individual Sectionals didn’t go quite as well as Districts. Esparza was defeated, and so was the Doubles team of Wilkinson and Peters, ending the individual season for the Tigers.
The Tigers will now prepare to play in the Team Sectionals on May 18th, and look to keep making history for the Festus Varsity Tennis program.
