LPJ Sports Report
MONROE, La. — Ruston High School’s tennis program capped its season with its strongest performance in more than 10 years at the Division II state tournament held this past weekend in Monroe.
The Bearcats’ boys team tied for fifth place overall, while the Lady Bearcats finished fourth in the team standings, highlighting a deep and balanced showing across both singles and doubles competition.
Ruston placed multiple doubles teams among the top finishers. The duos of Carson Williams and Reeves Kilpatrick, Millie Keen and Mabry Doucet, and Alyssa Langiulli and Eva Allen each advanced to the round of 32. Roan Sutherland and Hoss Flournoy pushed deeper into the bracket, finishing in the top 16.
Libby Morgan and Bess Black delivered one of the top performances for Ruston in doubles, advancing to the quarterfinals to finish among the top eight teams in the state.
In singles play, Leighton Brumley and Micah Blount both reached the round of 16. Jake Hawkins advanced to the quarterfinals, securing a top-eight finish.
Lillian Fendley led the Lady Bearcats with the deepest run of the tournament, reaching the semifinals and finishing among the top four competitors in Division II.
Ruston head coach David Poe credited the team’s success to consistent effort throughout the season.
“The results show how hard these kids have worked,” Poe said. “Great effort yields great results. I’m so proud of my team.”
The overall results underscore continued growth for the Ruston program, which placed multiple athletes in the later rounds and recorded its best combined team finish in over a decade.
