By Cort Reynolds

PORT CLINTON – The Bluffton senior tandem of Grady Coonfare and Isaiah Kohli advanced to the northwest district semifinals with two wins in the Div. II tennis tournament at Port Clinton Thursday.

By virtue of winning two matches on day one, the Pirate pair qualified for the state tournament next week in Mason and advanced to the district semis Saturday.

They are the first Bluffton boys tennis players to advance to the state tourney.

“These two young men have worked very hard over the last four years to achieve this awesome accomplishment,” said Pirate head coach Dave Roby. “I’m very proud of them and to have been a small part of their journey over the last four years. They deserve every bit of this with their hard work and motivation. So happy for them.”

The tandem played singles most of this spring season, with Coonfare usually in the number one spot and Kohli at two, but they combined forces for a doubles tournament run.

In the round of 16, the Pirates defeated the Ontario tandem of Justin Switaj and Henry Rugovich 6-0, 6-2.

Then in the quarterfinals, the duo had to rally to win in three sets 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 over Port Clinton senior Kai Weit and sophomore Evan Lovitt.

“They won the second match in a thrilling third set,” Roby recalled. “Very proud and happy for them both.”

A singles player or doubles team that advances to the semifinals with two district wins qualifies for the state tournament May 28-29 in Mason at the Lindner Tennis Center.

District semifinal play resumes Saturday at 10 a.m., followed by the finals.