After 2 hours and 51 minutes, it still didn’t seem like it was over.

Free State’s Meghan Bock walked slowly to coach Jon Renberger, pulling up her shirt to cover the tears.

“I forgot to shake her hand,” Bock said. “It was so frustrating that it had to end like that.”

The senior had finished her high school tennis career in the hardest-fought match of her life.

It ended up being that close to a perfect day for Free State.

The Firebirds finished second at the regional meet Monday at Lawrence Tennis Center, qualifying both doubles teams for the state tournament.

Andrea Koch and Leigh Luina took second with a 3-1 mark, while Julia Guard and Joanna Loewen won two of four matches for a fourth-place finish.

Still, it was Bock’s determination in the nearly three-hour match that most impressed Renberger.

“She played the best I’ve ever seen her play,” he said. “I’m extremely proud of her. I am more proud of her performance in that match than us taking second as a team.”

Free State's Andrea Koch eyes a shot during a doubles match. Koch and partner Leigh Luina took second with a 3-1 record at a Class 6A tennis regional Monday at the Lawrence Tennis Center.

Needing one more victory to earn a spot at state in her final year, Bock split the opening two sets and trailed Olathe Northwest’s Emily Huston 5-4 in the decisive third.

But five times she battled back from match points, eventually rallying to win the next two games for a 6-5 lead.

“That was incredible,” Renberger said, “and I think that was inspirational for the girls as well to see a teammate fighting like that.”

Facing an opponent with a similar style – one who simply returned the ball instead of smashing it – Bock’s match turned as much into a mental battle as anything, with the two combining for multiple rallies of over 50 hits.

“I don’t think I’ve ever played that long in my life,” Bock said. “For so long we just kept on hitting it back and forth, back and forth.”

Eventually, Bock fell in the tiebreaker, walking alone to her coach as Huston received hugs and congratulations from teammates.

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“It was very draining,” Bock said. “At least I know I gave everything I had.”

Lawrence High failed to win any of its four matches at regionals.

Laura Wilson and Lauren Kelly came closest to a victory, winning the first set, 6-4, before dropping the next two.

“It’s a little emotional, a little upsetting on our last chance at state,” Wilson said, “but we tried our best. I’m pretty happy with the outcome.”

Free State's Julia Guard, left, and Joanna Loewen celebrate a victory. Loewen and Guard placed fourth Monday at the Lawrence Tennis Center.

Meredith Bush and Kylie Fritzel also took a set before falling to Olathe North 3-6, 6-3, 2-6.

Seniors Wilson, Bush and Emily Thompson played in their final matches for the Lions.

“That’s one of life’s lessons – it’s over before you think,” LHS coach Dick Wedel said. “I’m sorry to see them go.”

Topeka High won the regional, with Free State tying Olathe East for second place.

The Firebirds picked up the runner-up plaque because they qualified more participants for state.

Renberger said it would be his job to make sure his two teams were not satisfied with their state berths.

“If they’ve met their goal – if their goal’s behind them – then it’s going to be a long weekend,” Renberger said.

State begins Friday at Kossover tennis courts in Topeka.