By Keith Taylor
Sun Senior Correspondent

The George Rogers Clark tennis teams competed in the state tournament Thursday and were defeated in all first-round matches.

The boys doubles team of Maxwell Clark and Isaac Graham lost to No. 5 seed Evan Duggal and Arthur Sultanov 6-2 and 6-1 in the opening round at the Boone-Downing Tennis Complex in Lexington.

The Henry Clay duo advanced to the quarterfinal round and will take on Landon Gann and Parker Young of Greenwood on Friday morning.

In singles matches, Tennyson Prater forfeited his match to Ettore Pavesi because of an injury.

On the girls’ side, George Rogers Clark junior Hayden Turley lost to Belle Englebright of Caldwell County, 6-0, 6-0.

Despite the early ouster from the state tourney, Clark coach Caitlin Bradley said the season was a success.

“I can’t even describe how awesome it has been for Steve (Turley) and I to coach tennis this year,” she said. “It has been a joy spending time with these kids and watching them excel on and off the court. In the last three years, we have seen such growth in the tennis program.

“We are excited to see new athletes find a love for the game and become part of our tennis family.”