Free State's Dravid Joseph returns a shot against Olathe South. The Firebirds routed the Falcons, 12-0, Monday at FSHS.

Whether it was attempting a return shot between the legs or chiming in on a conversation held by the crowd, Free State High’s boys tennis squad had to find some way to make Monday’s dual against Olathe South a little more exciting.

Whatever it was the Firebirds did to keep focused during the match, it was more than enough as they swept the Falcons, 12-0, at FSHS.

“There was a shot I wanted to hit because we always kind of mess around with it – that between-the-legs shot because it’s kind of hard to do – so I just went for it,” said Free State’s Michael Swank, who won the No. 1 singles match, 8-0. “I made it, but I ended up losing the point. Today it was one of those things where you go out there and know you’re better than your opponent, but there are some things you can work on, (so) you just focus in on working on those things during the matches.”

Free State’s Blaine Kaehr, who won at No. 2 singles, 8-3, said Monday’s competition allowed the Firebirds to work on the mental as well as physical aspects of the game.

“Sometimes these can be the best matches for you mentally because you’re not wanting to play down to your opponent and wanting to actually take them a little bit more serious,” Kaehr said. “You should take them as if you’re playing the best player in the state. These are some of the hardest matches for me, sometimes, playing people that are worse than me, and I play down to them. So they’re just good mental matches for you.”

It’s becoming difficult for the tandem of Kaehr and Charlie Moffet to find things to work on during their play at No. 1 doubles. The duo defeated Olathe South’s Spencer Keil and Andrew Adams, 8-3, to maintain a perfect season.

“We’re doing really well. We still haven’t lost yet,” Kaehr said. “Hopefully we can keep that up through the season. Hopefully never lose – that would be good. But we seem to have things figured out together, and our chemistry is pretty well.”

Moffet put up the same score (8-3) in his No. 3 singles as he did in the doubles match.

Swank teamed with Dravid Joseph – who won at No. 4 singles, 8-1 – to claim the No. 2 doubles match, 8-0.

“Our guys have been showing a lot of heart. They’re very competitive and like to win,” Firebirds assistant coach Seth Graham said. “I think that kind of drives them a little bit and is partly the reason we come out and sweep these matches. None of the players want to be the one to disappoint the team.”