ShawneeDispatch.com

The Mill Valley boy's tennis team has had some ups and downs so far this year.

But things appear to be looking up, as the Jags placed third as a team at the Bonner Springs Invitational with four wins and six losses.

"We had a really good showing," Jags coach Chad Krug said. "We have begun to make improvements and are starting to feel more comfortable with our lineups. They know that they are capable of doing good things. I just think that the beating we took against Blue Valley North really helped us want to work harder."

The Bonner Invitational was a split tourney starting last Tuesday with the singles events and ending last Thursday with the doubles.

On Tuesday, Nate Laster and Jonny Woodell both place fourth in their respective divisions.

On Thursday, the doubles team made up of Eric Van Kuiken and Ernie Straub finished fifth and the No. 2 doubles team of David Johnson and Jeff Smith finished second in their division. Johnson and Smith defeated Ikenberry and Stansberry from Baldwin 8-4 and defeated their opponents from Gardner Edgerton 2-0. They lost their final match to Blue Valley 8-4.

"I think that our doubles teams are starting to see that they can play well together," Krug said. "I can't emphasize in doubles that communication is so important every match. The more you communicate, the better you will play."

The Jags will face off at the Hayden tournament this Saturday. The tourney is scheduled to start at 9 a.m.

"We should see most of the teams that we will see at our regionals," Krug said. "It will give us an idea what these teams will bring to the table. This will give us a chance to see what is needed to be successful at regionals."

The night tournament that was scheduled for Wednesday was canceled. The junior varsity tournament that was scheduled for last Tuesday was canceled as well, and there will not likely be a make up date for that one.

The junior varsity team will travel to Gardner on Tuesday for the Gardner Dual. Match time for the dual is scheduled for 4 p.m.