Rockhurst, Pembroke Hill win Missouri state team tennis titles

SPRINGFIELD | In a day dedicated to the team aspect of tennis, it was fitting that players from all over the chart contributed to Pembroke Hill’s and Rockhurst’s team championships Thursday in the Missouri boys state tennis tournament at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

Pembroke Hill defeated MICDS 5-2 in the Class 1 finals, behind impressive victories at No. 1 and No. 4 singles with Tommy Aliber and Will Welte.

Rockhurst won the Class 2 title, downing Kirkwood 5-4 in the final.

Aliber knocked off the two-time defending Missouri Class 1 singles champion Andrew Mellow 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Welte, meanwhile, defeated Wyatt Frost 6-2,6-0. Entering the match, Frost had just one loss this season.

After singles play, Pembroke Hill held a 4-2 lead and needed just one victory in doubles to secure the state title.

With both other doubles teams down a set, the No. 1 doubles team of Aliber and Teddy Fitzgibbons stepped up in a big way, winning 7-5,6-3.

“There was definitely pressure, but I know I love it and I know Tommy loves it,” Fitzgibbons said of securing the victory. “We both knew it might come down to our match. He got me fired up, and we were ready to go.”

Rockhurst got a boost in its semifinal and finals matches from a plethora of spots on the roster.

During Rockhurst’s finals match, the Hawklets were able to take a 2-1 lead into singles play thanks to a come-from-behind victory by the No. 3 doubles team of Tom Campbell and Joe Monaldo. The duo was down a set before rallying to win the second set and then won the match on a tie breaker in the third.

Rockhurst jumped out to a 4-1 lead in singles before watching Kirkwood come back and tie the match 4-4. That left it up to Dominic Palmieri at No. 3 singles. While battling cramps, he picked up the pivotal team point in three sets, defeating Josh Waite 6-1, 6-7 (7-5), 6-3.

submitted by COLE YOUNG - 2009-05-28 23:01:01

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