Lawrence High's Elliott Abromeit smacks a forehand against Topeka West on Wednesday at Rock Chalk Park.

Lawrence High senior Elliott Abromeit won two of his three tennis matches on Wednesday at the Lawrence quadrangular, but he said the loss was the “more valuable” experience.

Playing against Washburn Rural’s Nathan Osborn at Rock Chalk Park, Abromeit had to fight through the wind and Osborn’s rocket serve in an 8-3 loss. It’s only the second loss of the season for Abromeit, but he learned plenty from the one match.

Lawrence High's Elliott Abromeit smacks a forehand against Topeka West on Wednesday at Rock Chalk Park.

In the quad, the LHS boys tennis team won matches against Topeka West and Topeka Seaman and were swept by Washburn Rural.

“This is the first serve-and-volleyer I’ve played in a pretty long time,” Abromeit said. “It was hard to adjust. I think his game is better adapted to the wind than mine. But I think I was able to adapt and gave him some good competition.”

Abromeit, who took 12th at the Class 6A state tournament in singles last season, has looked improved in his start to the season at No. 1 singles. He won 8-0 against Topeka West’s Braden Zeferjahn and scored an 8-1 victory over Topeka Seaman’s Andrew Gill, controlling the pace and dictating shots.

“My service game has improved a lot, both in consistency and variety in what I’m able to hit,” Abromeit said. “Then my forehand is (turning) into a weapon. I’m able to use it in a pretty versatile manner.”

At No. 2 singles, LHS senior Zach Bowie was swept 8-0 by Washburn Rural’s Max Cassidy, but he rolled to decisive victories over Topeka West and Topeka Seaman.

Lawrence High's Brendan Connor returns a shot against Topeka West on Wednesday at Rock Chalk Park.

Bowie doesn’t play year-round but said it takes him about two weeks to find his groove on the court.

“Zach is playing to win now,” LHS coach Chris Marshall said. “In the past he was playing not to lose and was afraid to go for shots. … If he serves like that and can hit some of those forehands like that, he’s going to be a pretty good No. 2 singles player for us.”

For the Lions, it’s the second straight year with Abromeit and Bowie as the top two singles players. Bowie is playing with more confidence, and the results have shown in the first few meets.

“I’ve been trying to work on my consistency,” Bowie said. “So that’s just like my forehand, backhand and groundstrokes. I’m struggling a little bit with my overhead, so I think I probably should start working on that a little more. My serve, I’ve been working on that, too. It’s gotten a lot better, my first serve.”

“It’s my senior year, so I’m trying to go out with a bang — the best that I can do,” Bowie added. “Maybe get a few colleges to look at me. That’s my plan.”

Lawrence High junior Sam Allen chases down a shot against Topeka West on Wednesday at Rock Chalk Park.

Lawrence’s Jonathan Kinder and Austin Butell combined for two wins at No. 2 doubles, including an 8-6 victory in the final match of the quad against Seaman.

“Doubles, we’ve got some work to do. We know that,” Marshall said. “We’re kind of young, and we’re trying to get adjusted to it.”

The Lions will travel to Free State for the City Showdown dual at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Lawrence 3, Topeka West 1

No. 1 singles — Elliott Abromeit, LHS, def. Braden Zeferjahn, TW, 8-0.

No. 2 singles — Zach Bowie, LHS, def. Luc Pourmirza, TW, 8-2.

No. 1 doubles — Zach Shima/Kyle Rice, TW, def. Sam Allen/Brendan Connor, LHS, 8-1.

No. 2 doubles — Jonathan Kinder/Austin Butell, LHS, def. Noah Kuebler/Jake Leonard, TW, 8-3.

Washburn Rural 4, Lawrence 0

No. 1 singles — Nathan Osborn, WR, def. Abromeit, LHS, 8-3.

No. 2 singles — Max Cassidy, WR, def. Bowie, LHS, 8-0.

No. 1 doubles — Devin Wright/Jordan Lind, WR, def. Allen/Connor, LHS, 8-1.

No. 2 doubles — Grant Brooke/Will Baker, WR, def. Kinder/Butell, LHS, 8-6.

Lawrence 3, Topeka Seaman 1

No. 1 singles — Abromeit, LHS, def. Andrew Gill, TS, 8-1.

No. 2 singles — Bowie, LHS, def. Gate Devlin, TS, 8-0.

No. 1 doubles — Ryan Brownin/Mike Latendresse, TS, def. Allen/Connor, 8-3.

No. 2 doubles — Kinder/Butell, LHS, def. Matt Wyer/Trey Duffey, 8-6.