HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS Person, Meek hope to double their fun

Ursuline's doubles team will be playing for a state championship this week.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
Ursuline has one Meek tennis player. Donald Person figures that's enough.
So when the Irish senior looks ahead to this weekend's Division II state doubles tournament, he has just one thing on his mind.
"I'm playing to win," he said. "Everyone is there to win. You can say a whole bunch of other stuff, but that's what it boils down to."
Person and his playing partner, Brian Meek, won last week's district title by outlasting Canton Central Catholic's top doubles team in three sets -- the first time they've played a three-set match since the tournament began.
"It was definitely good for us," Meek, a senior, said. "You don't want to go to state playing all easy matches. There aren't any more easy matches. There's a bunch of good teams down there."
Local connection
The Irish duo join Canfield senior Chris Kuppler and Howland's Ryan and Jason Trapp as the only area players in the state tournament, which begins Friday in Columbus.
Both Meek and Person have state tournament experience. Meek advanced to the state doubles tournament two years ago with Todd Wojtkowski, finishing fourth overall. Person made it to the state singles tournament two years ago, losing in the first round.
"Honestly, Donald and I have a better shot at winning it; we seem to play better together," Meek said. "Having gone through this before, I'm not as nervous. I know what to expect."
Added Person: "As a sophomore, I was beyond nervous. I looked like I had just seen a ghost. I'll still be nervous this year, but it's different. This is what I've worked for all season. It's now or never. You have to come with your A-game."
Ursuline is one of four No. 1 seeds in the tournament, but Person isn't paying much attention to the draw.
"I don't really care who I'm playing," he said. "I'm coming to win. It doesn't matter who we play. I'm sure Brian feels the same way. We have to give everything we have to win."
Then he paused for a moment.
"Of course, it would be nice to have a couple easy matches first," he said with a laugh.
Tournament experience
The Trapps also have state tournament experience, losing in the first round last year. Junior Ryan Trapp also made it two years ago with his brother, Kevin.
Kuppler has played in the state doubles tournament -- he and Shalin Shah finished as runners-up two years ago -- but this is his first time playing singles.
"I just wanted to get down there," said Kuppler, who advanced to the state doubles tournament as a sophomore. "Not just for myself, but for my family and friends who have been really supportive throughout my career."
He also continues what has become a common tradition -- Canfield players in the state tournament.
"That's another reason I wanted to make it down," he said. "For as long as I've been in high school, someone's always gone to state. I wanted to continue that tradition."
He has a tough draw ahead of him. Kuppler will face Cincinnati Walnut Hills senior Eric Thomas, who finished third in the state last year.
"I won't have a lot of pressure, so I'm just gonna go play hard and have a good time," he said. "Whatever happens, happens."
scalzo@vindy.com