New State Tourney Invite to Start this Fall in Kearney

“The goal of this event is to put the main focus on the results of the team, rather than one or two players’ individual results,” he said. “We are also hoping this allows coaches to get more players involved in these competitions.”

The event will take place Saturday, Oct. 7 for Class B, and Monday, Oct. 9 for Class A teams. Based on results from the regular boys season, the top 16 teams in each class will be invited to compete by Monday, Oct. 2, 2023. 

“The teams will be placed in a 16-team bracket based on their power point standing (1 vs. 16, 2 vs. 15, etc.) and then teams will play duals, with the winners advancing in the bracket until we crown our championship team,” said DeWispelare. “The teams that lose in the opening round will play a consolation match as well.”

DeWispelare added that this is not a NSAA sanctioned event, but hopes after a few years it will be. The Girls State Tourney will be held Saturday, May 11 for Class B, and Monday, May 13 for Class A teams. 

Following is a list of committee members who helped create this tournament: 

Kevin Heim- Lincoln Director, Woods Tennis Center

Ron Higdon- Lincoln Tennis Director, NSAA

Troy Saulsbury- Kearney Class A

Mariana Hurst- Papillion-LaVista Class A

Nolan DeWispelare- Pius X Class A

Jason Rodenberger- Millard South Class A

Jon Holtz- Elkhorn Class B

Lance Kush- Elkhorn North Class B

Matt Wiemers- McCook Class B

Darren Emerick- Scottsbluff Class B

For more information on this event, contact DeWispelare at Nolan-DeWispelare@cdolinc.net.