Lutheran South News
Lutheran South's Aidan Toner earns state tennis berth, then graduates
An appearance at the state tournament was not in Toner's mind until he got notification of the adjusted district assignments at the beginning of the year.
"I thought that this was going to be my chance," Toner said. "Clayton was not going to be in our way."
Toner played doubles in sectionals last year with Cole Stellhorn. They lost to Anurag Venigalla and Daden Deaver of Clayton. Lutheran South's John Fiene and Logan Perez also fell in the sectional round to eventual state champions Arnav Poddar and Ismael Robles-Razzaq.
Toner played doubles in sectionals last year with Cole Stellhorn. They lost to Anurag Venigalla and Daden Deaver of Clayton. Lutheran South's John Fiene and Logan Perez also fell in the sectional round to eventual state champions Arnav Poddar and Ismael Robles-Razzaq.
Toner did not play tennis until he moved to St. Louis from Aurora, Ill., during his sophomore season.
He started at No. 5 singles as a sophomore and then moved to No. 2 singles as a junior before playing No. 1 singles this season.
Toner has played his best tennis in the postseason. He played 36 games in the Class 1 District 2 Tournament. He won them all.
He ran his streak to 38 games by winning the first two games against Williams Friday. He led 5-1 in the first set before starting another streak by winning the final seven games.
"I practiced every single day in the offseason," said the 6-foot Toner, who dominated the net Friday. "My serve has gotten way better and I think my whole game has improved. Getting to the state tournament means everything to me. It's a dream come true."
Toner does not know what to expect as he joins the field of 16 at Cooper Tennis Complex next week.
"The first thing I want to do is win a match," Toner said. "I just need to be consistent and play my heart out."
Toner was almost joined at state by two other Lancers seniors. Fiene and Perez lost their individual sectional doubles match to Noah Stark and Landon Whitfield of North County 5-7, 6-2, 10-7.
Fiene had an ace on the first point of the match tiebreaker to determine not only the third set but which team would qualify for state, and the Lancers led 3-0. But Whitfield and Stark rolled off seven straight points to take control.
Stellhorn lost his sectional singles match to Wren Blount of Arcadia Valley 6-3, 6-1.
Dexter's Lawson Blocker and Cooper Worley earned the other state doubles spot from the sectional as they defeated Isabella Hankins and Nathaniel DeClue of Crystal City, 6-2, 6-2.
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