Parsley wins sportsmanship award
BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
LOUISA — The 15th Region Tournament was a success for Martin County tennis this past week. Brothers Connor Dials and Bryson Dials are heading to the KHSAA state tournament in Lexington on May 27.
Martin County senior BJ Parsley and Johnson Central’s Madelyn Burchett won the 15th Region sportsmanship awards voted on by coaches.
The Cardinals were represented well in singles and doubles.
The Dials brothers entered the tournament ranked as the four seed and received a bye in the first round. With a 6-2, 6-3 victory, the pair secured their spot to fight for a title at state.
They narrowly missed a region title in the semis with a tiebreaker loss in the second set with 4-6, 6-7 (5-7) scores. The brothers finished the tournament as the No. 2 doubles pair in the postseason coaches poll.
This marks a historic achievement for Martin County, as the Dialses are the first players and the first doubles team to qualify for state twice.
“Their dedication to get better this past summer is what I feel like got them to this point,” Martin County coach Josh Penix said, praising their commitment.
After being ranked three and four in singles last season, the brothers opted for doubles following a series of “interesting and fun matchups,” according to the coach. It was a decision that clearly paid off.
Their rigorous schedule, dubbed the “Dials Brothers World Tour” by one coach, saw them play six matches in 10 days to qualify for seeding. They proved their mettle by keeping pace with the eventual tournament champions, Jaxon Napier and David Johnson.
“Overall, I am proud of these kids and how they have grown over the past couple of seasons,” added Coach Penix. “Last year they didn’t know what to expect going to state. This year they are locked in and ready to play.”
The Dialses finished with a 10-5 record.
Connor will graduate and has been offered by multiple schools to continue his career.
Bryson has three years left and plenty of room to expand his game.
Connor and Caleb Horn were co-captains for this year’s team.
“They led the team and kept everyone focused,” said Coach Penix.
Horn and his partner BJ Parsley advanced past the first round with 6-0, 6-0 decisions. The pair fought in the second but came up short 0-6, 3-6 in the following round. They finished the season with a winning record with eight victories under their belts.
Chloe May moved on in the first round of girls singles with a 6-2, 6-4 win. She lost a heartbreaker 4-6, 4-6 after battling back from a 5-2 deficit. May finished the season with six wins overall.
Vittoria Dellamotta was at the edge but could not get over the hump. She lost in a tiebreaker in the second set 5-7, 6-7 (5-7). She finished with a 7-3 record.
In girls doubles, the pairs of Ida Henson and Addison Kerr 0-6, 1-6, and Grace Caldwell and Chloe Alley 0-6, 0-6 fell in hard-fought first-round matchups.
Byron Marcum moved on from the opening round in boys singles 6-0, 6-0. He came up short in the second but finished overall on the season 7-3.
Shawn Marcum advanced past the first round with a 6-0, 6-0 decision. After a grueling match he fell short 4-6, 3-6. Marcum finished the season with a 4-2 record.
As of writing, the Cards are playing in the team tournament. Scores will be reported in next week’s edition.
