Central Magnet's Zou, Blackman's Mincey top 2019 DNJ all-area tennis teams
Cecil Joyce
Seniors Nathan Zou and Anna Mincey wrapped up their high school tennis careers in a familiar place — the state tournament.
Zou and Mincey have been named The Daily News Journal's all-area tennis players of the year for 2019.
Zou was a win away from a state singles championship, falling to Brentwood's Donovan Janicek — a player he had beaten just two days earlier in the Large Class state team competition — 6-4, 6-3 in the title match.
It was Zou's third trip to the state in singles, capturing the Class A/AA state title as a freshman and reaching the Large Class semifinals as a junior. He missed most of his sophomore season with a back injury.
In 2019 Zou was rarely challenged until the state final, winning the District 7 and Region 4 championships in straight sets while also helping the Tigers to the state team final, where his singles win was the lone victory of the day in a 4-1 loss to Brentwood.
Mincey reached the state singles tournament for the second time (her third trip overall) before falling to Obion County's Fernanda Espinosa in the quarterfinals.
She reached the state singles tourney as a sophomore after going in doubles as a freshman.
Mincey captured the District 7 and Region 4 singles championships en route to the state appearance as a senior.
The 2019 all-area tennis teams include:
Boys
First team
Singles
Hussain Alzubaidi
Siegel, Sr.
Why chosen: Was the ace of the Stars’ squad for the fourth consecutive season, losing only to Central Magnet’s Nathan Zou during district play.
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Ryan Harper
Central Magnet, Fr.
Why chosen: Tigers' No. 2 seed helped his squad to the Large Class team final after district and region titles.
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Hasan Malik
Siegel, So.
Why chosen: Reached the final of the District 7 and Region 4 tournaments.
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Tom Smith
Central Magnet, Jr.
Why chosen: Tigers' No. 3 seed helped his squad win District 7 and Region 4 team titles en route to a state runner-up.
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Nathan Zou
Central Magnet, Sr.
Why chosen: The all-area player of the year reached the Large Class state singles final after leading his team to the team final as well.
Doubles
Hussain Alzubaidi/Drew Elliott
Siegel, Sr., Jr.
Why chosen: District 7 runners-up and Region 4 champs reached the Large Class state semifinals.
Tom Smith, Ryan Harper
Central Magnet, Jr., Fr.
Why chosen: Won the District 7 tournament and were Region 4 runners-up.
Second team
Singles
Kyle Chandler, Siegel, Sr.
Drew Elliott, Siegel, Jr.
Alex Hand, Central Magnet, So.
Simon Michael, Blackman, Sr.
Jalen Stayton, Blackman, Jr.
Doubles
Luke Jakes/Brady Cunningham, Cannon Co., Jr./Jr.
Jalen Stayton/Simon Michael, Blackman, Jr./Sr.
Boys coach of the year
Steve Boynton, Central Magnet
Why chosen: Guided the Tigers to the District 7 and Region 4 titles while reaching the Large Class state final.
Girls
First team
Singles
Ashlyn Melton
MTCS, Sr.
Why chosen: Battled through a labrum injury to help lead her team to the DII-A state tournament at No. 1 singles.
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Anna Mincey
Blackman, Sr.
Why chosen: The all-area player of the year reached the Large Class state singles tournament after winning District 7 and Region 4 titles.
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Alex Pachciarz
MTCS, Sr.
Why chosen: Played No. 2 seed on a Lady Cougars squad that reached the DII-A state tournament.
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Mamie Sevier
Central Magnet, Sr.
Why chosen: Reached the District 7 singles semifinals while playing No. 1 on a Lady Tigers team that captured the district title.
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Jessie Thepsouvan
Oakland, Fr.
Why chosen: Reached both the District 7 and Region 4 singles finals.
Doubles
Ashlyn Melton/Alex Pachciarz
MTCS, Sr., Sr.
Why chosen: Reached the DII-A state doubles tournament and helped the Lady Cougars to the state team tourney.
Lauren Meyer/Lauren Murray
Siegel, Sr., Jr.
Why chosen: Captured the District 7 title and finished as region runner-up.
Second team
Singles
Evie Boyd, MTCS, Jr.
Kristina Phanthalangsy, Riverdale, So.
Megan Scott, Central Magnet, Sr.
Molly Speight, Central Magnet, So.
Ava Woodard, MTCS, Sr.
Doubles
Jillian Wiemann/Maddie Penney, Blackman, Jr./Jr.
Ava Woodard/Evie Boyd, MTCS, Sr./Jr.
Girls coach of the year
Lawrence Goodwyn, MTCS
Why chosen: Guided the Lady Cougars to the DII-A state team tournament.