Maybe not quite as easy as learning to ride a bike again, Free State High juniors Jonah Pester and Seamus Ryan teamed up for the first time since last season at the boys tennis regional last weekend.

It took a few matches to find a rhythm, but Pester and Ryan finished fifth in doubles and qualified for the Class 6A state tournament for the second straight year.

There’s a little unfinished business for Pester and Ryan after the duo lost in the third round at state last season, failing to receive a medal. They are hoping to change that when the state tournament begins at 11:30 a.m. today at Harmon Park in Prairie Village.

“We know what we need to do to get a medal,” Pester said. “We have a pretty good seed. … Definitely have a chance to medal.”

Playing alongside each other for the first time in a year, Pester and Ryan trailed by a set before winning the match to qualify for state.

They play different styles, which helps them as a pairing. Pester is better at the net and Ryan prefers the baseline.

Along with Pester and Ryan, Free State junior Ian Pultz-Earle and sophomore Erik Czapinski qualified for state for the second straight season after finishing second in doubles at regionals. Freshman Sawyer Nickel also qualified for state, placing fifth at regionals in singles.

“I think he likes those big moments, honestly,” Free State coach Keith Pipkin said of Nickel, the only Firebird without state experience. “I think that’s what has helped him throughout the year so far, so I think he’ll do just fine.”

Lawrence High senior Elliott Abromeit took third at regionals, qualifying for state for the second time.

At last year’s state tournament, Abromeit took 12th in singles, and Pultz-Earle and Czapinski finished 12th in doubles.