Iola’s Fawson earns state tennis berth

A dramatic come-from-behind victory in her opening match of the day keyed a sixth-place finish for Iola's Keira Fawson at Saturday's Class 4A Regional Tennis Tournament. With the top-six finish, Fawson advances to the state tennis tournament, which starts Friday in Winfield.

Sports

October 11, 2021 - 10:00 AM

Iola High sophomore Keira Fawson poses with her sixth-place medal Saturday. The top-six finish at regionals secured a berth in the Class 4A State Tennis Tournament, which opens Friday in Winfield. Photo by Chris Belknap

INDEPENDENCE — Keira Fawson’s hopes for a state bid nearly ended as soon as they started.

The Iola High sophomore rallied from a 4-1 deficit in a third-set tiebreaker against Ellie Valentine-Florence of Parsons in the opening round of Saturday’s Class 4A Regional Tournament.

A loss would have ended Fawson’s season.

But she dug down and forged a 6-6 tie, as the pair traded volley shots and momentum swings on a  regular basis.

It was Fawson who earned the last laugh, scoring the last two points in a 6-4, 0-6 and 11-9 victory.

Related
October 9, 2023
October 18, 2021
September 29, 2021
May 15, 2017