photo by: Richard Gwin

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

Tough regional assignments are nothing new for Lawrence High senior Elliott Abromeit.

Last season, Abromeit took sixth in singles at the boys tennis regional on his way to 12th place at the Class 6A state tournament. The road for another spot at state won’t be any easier this season.

Lawrence and Free State boys tennis teams will compete for a spot at state at 9 a.m. today at Rock Chalk Park in an eight-team regional. The top six in singles and doubles will qualify for state.

Two of the top four singles players at last week’s Sunflower League meet are included in Abromeit’s regional. LHS coach Chris Marshall said Abromeit likely will be seeded anywhere from five to seven, putting him right on the line for earning a state berth.

“You’re always kind of expecting hard draws,” Abromeit said. “I didn’t qualify for state my freshman or sophomore year, so I’m not really expecting anything big. I think it was really nice to get to state last year, but I’m just going to play as best as I can. I’m not really hoping for any swan song. I already decided I’m just trying to have fun this season.”

Along with Abromeit, senior Zach Bowie will compete in singles for the Lions, while Jonathan Kinder/Austin Buttell and Sam Allen/Brendan Connor will participate in doubles.

Both of the LHS doubles teams won two matches at the league meet, but didn’t finish inside of the top eight.

“We’re starting to play better, and if we do play some good tennis, I think we have a shot,” Marshall said of his doubles tandems. “But it’s a matter of staying focused and playing to our best abilities, which we have not done yet, but it’s a great time to peak. If we’re able to do that, there is a shot. Chances are there.”

Abromeit was seventh at the league meet — “I don’t think I was at my physical peak,” he said — but noted facing familiar foes has its pluses and minuses.

“Really, all you have to worry about is yourself and how you play,” Abromeit said.

Free State will feature one of the top doubles teams with junior Ian Pultz-Earle and sophomore Erik Czapinski. The duo placed 12th at last season’s state tournament after taking third at regionals.

“We sort of know what we did previously, and we’re excited to improve on that,” Pultz-Earle said. “I think we’ve definitely got a lot better since last year and have more doubles experience, so I think we can be even more successful this year.”

One of the bonuses for Pultz-Earle and Czapinski is their experience playing together. The Firebirds didn’t send their varsity lineup to the league meet because of state limits on the number of meets played throughout the year.

“We can communicate pretty well, sometimes without even having to say things,” Pultz-Earle said. “We just kind of know what to do from having played together.”

Free State coach Keith Pipkin said freshman Sawyer Nickel will compete in singles, but the rest of his lineup was still to be determined throughout the week of practice.

The Firebirds have plenty of experience at Rock Chalk Park with three meets on those outdoor courts.

“I’m most confident in that we’ll compete out there,” Pipkin said. “That’s really all I want to see happen.”