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Despite gloomy forecasts, both fans and players gathered yesterday to watch the first day of the TSSAA Region 1, District 2 tennis tournament at Frank Lorino Park. Their excitement paid off as windy and overcast conditions in the morning blossomed into prime weather by the end of the day. All-in-all nearly 300 people visited the tennis courts for some intriguing matchups.

In the boys doubles tournament, the number one seed pair of Brandon Kennedy and Jackson Weems advanced to the semi finals with a win over Ellison and Carbaugh from Jefferson County. They will play Crook and French from Sevier County. The duo of Baker and Schwartz from Jeff County will face off against Parker Spoone and Andy Hall of Morristown East in the other semi final matchup.

For the boys singles, it was two narrow matches to decide who advanced and who went home. Greeneville’s Noah Helton won a marathon match against Easton Smith of Cocke County 2-6,6-4,7-5. Helton will play the number one seed Brandon Latta of Sevier County in the semi finals. On the other side of the bracket, Tanner Smith of Greeneville beat Caden French of Sevier County in a match that lastly nearly 2 hours. Smith will play the two seed Bryson Baker of Jeff County who coasted to a 6-0, 6-0 victory over Conrad Morales of Cocke County.

In girls doubles play, Renner and Ballard of Greeneville will square off against Morristown East’s own Polly Jett and Finley Surber for a place in the district final. Nave and Headrick of Sevier County will play Berger and Pressley from Jefferson County to determine the other final spot.

Lastly, Morristown West sends Melanie Gal and Peyton Winter to the semi finals today in girls singles. Melanie will play Addison Wyrick from Sevier County. Peyton will face the number one seed in girls singles competition: Alexa Yelenosky. Seymour’s standout did not drop a game yesterday as Yelenosky won both matches 6-0,6-0.

Play will resume at 4:00 PM at Frank Lorino Park this afternoon. All matches are free and open to the public.