Heider reaches 1A regional semis, Polk doubles team eliminated

Polk County senior Ryan Heider advanced Friday to the semifinals of the 1A West Regional tennis tournament in Elkin, securing a state tournament berth in the process.

Heider, the top seed in the regional, earned a 6-1, 6-1 win over Gray Stone Day’s Kevin Agner in his first match of the day and a 6-1, 6-3 win over Mount Airy’s Kaleb Morrison in his second. He will compete in the semifinals on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

Polk County’s doubles team of Henry Heider and Adam Kehrer opened the day with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Cherryville’s Andrew Clark and Sean Kostiuk, but dropped a 6-0, 6-0 decision in the second round.

Heider is Polk County’s first qualifier for state tournament play since Zach High advanced in 2008.