Hibbets, Miller 2nd
By Bruce Campbell
For the Enid News & Eagle
Enid’s Haley Hibbets and Oklahoma Bible Academy’s Reagan Miller took second at No. 1 singles and No. 2 singles, respectively, to highlight the day for locals at the Enid Invitational Tennis Tournament.
Hibbets lost to defending 6A state champion Avery Arant of Jenks 6-2, 6-2 in her final, while Miller, a sophomore, fell to Arant’s teammate, Quinn Leos, 6-0, 6-2.
Arant had seven service breaks — three in the first set and four in the second. Arant’s ability to win the deuce games and the big points were the difference in the match, Hibbets said.
“The match was closer than the score indicated,” Hibbets said. “There were a lot of deuce games. If I had won more of those and more of the big points, it might have been different. She is really good playing under pressure and knowing what to do and where to hit the ball.”
Hibbets felt the turning point was at 2-3 when Arant had a crucial serve break.
“If I had won that game, it would have been 3-3 instead of 2-4 and that’s a big gap,” Hibbets said. “I was making double faults at the wrong time. That’s something I have been working on.”
Hibbets beat OBA’s Ashley Miller, Reagan’s sister, in the semifinals, 6-3, 6-2, winning the last two games of the first set and the last three of the second. Miller forfeited her third place match because of back problems.
“I think the key for me was keeping up the pressure,” Hibbets said.
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Enid’s Haley Hibbets (top) and OBA’s Ashley Miller (above) prepare to return shots Monday during the Enid Invitational Tournament at Oakwood Country Club. (Billy Hefton / Enid News & Eagle)
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Leos won the final four games of the second set against Reagan Miller after the match was tied 2-2. Reagan Miller had upset No. 2 seed Mia Mattson of Broken Arrow 6-1, 6-0 in the semifinals.
“It was really fun today,” Miller said, “even though it was really cold. It was really gratifying today. Quinn is a great player. A year ago, I wouldn’t have gotten two games off her.”
Miller attributed her success to her faith and her sister Ashley.
OBA’s Maddie Edwards and Kyndall Ray were third at No. 1 doubles, beating Edmond North’s Sophie Phan and Reagan Burks 4-6, 6-1, 10-7. Aaliyah Hocker and Sophie Petka were eighth at No. 2 doubles.
Lady Trojans coach Randy Roth said he was pleased with how his team competed against 6A completion and exceeded their seed in two divisions.
EHS’ Sophia Groendyke and Kenzie Stotts lost to Union’s Kennedy Alexander and Scarlet Leiando for fifth, 6-2, 6-3. Sage Haffner and Abby Jessen were seventh at No. 2 doubles. Jessalyn Isordia was eighth at No. 2 doubles.
“I was pretty happy with them,” said Enid coach Wade Rogers. “We’re showing improvement. We just need to string together some more games. We’re getting experience and it will pay off at the end of the year.”
Enid’s varsity boys had two sixths — Cooper Reinhardt and Landon Collins, No. 1 doubles, and Abedneso Arwakon and Dominick Wacker, No. 2 doubles; and two sevenths, Kyler Jackson, No. 1 singles, and Jake Currier, No. 2 singles.
“We did all right,” Rogers said. “We can use this as learning experience.”
Enid JV’s Keith Holsten was sixth at No.2 singles.
OBA’s doubles teams — Nick Boeckman and Harrison Crow, No. 1 and Travis Moore and Judah Reese, No. 2 — were both sevenths.
