Bearcat Joey Oberle placed first in No. 1 singles April 2 at the Ellsworth High School Varsity Invitational Tennis Tournament.

As a team, the ‘Cats placed second with 54 points behind Central Plains.

In other results: The No. 2 doubles team of Adam Vehring and David Wesseler placed 2nd; the No. 1 doubles team of Caden Whetzel and Dalton Zelenka placed 3rd; and Zach Griffith placed 5th in No. 2 singles.

Ellsworth is coached by Garry Stredney and Eric Anderson.

In 2018, the men’s team finished the season with a 7th place at the 3-2-1A State tennis tournament. From that team, the Bearcats return Oberle, who placed 3rd in singles at State; Zelenka, who claimed 12th place at State; and Whetzel, a State qualifier. All are seniors.

“Our expectations this season are to work hard, do the little things and be the best that we can be on a daily basis,” Anderson said.