Jags headed to UMKC

The University of Missouri-Kansas City tennis team is going to have an Eastern Jackson County/Blue Springs South High School vibe this season as coach Kendell Hale announced the addition of former Jaguars Bret Berryman and Nick Hays to the Kangaroos squad.
“I am very excited about having these three guys join our program,” Hale said. “I think it is important to show that our tennis programs want to recruit locally. Each one of these athletes will bring something special to UMKC tennis, as they all have experience under their belt and know what it is like to compete at a high level.”
Berryman, a former all-state performer and two-time Examiner Player of the Year, transfers to UMKC from Ball State University, where he competed for the Cardinals for the past two seasons.
During his sophomore campaign, Berryman compiled a 9-9 overall record, while playing primarily at the No. 3 position. He also went 8-5 in doubles at No. 2.
As a freshman, Berryman was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, as he posted a 10-13 overall record with a perfect 5-0 mark in league play. That season, he helped Ball State advance to championship match at the Mid America Conference Tournament.
Berryman was 47-5 during his high school career, which included a 24-1 mark as a senior. On the USTA scene, Berryman climbed as high as a No. 71 national ranking in the 18-and-under division.
Hays was an all-conference and all-district selection following his freshman, sophomore and senior seasons. He was The Examiner’s Player of the Year as a freshman. He missed his junior year with a broken leg.
 As a senior, Hays finished first at conference and he closed out his prep career as the school record holder in doubles victories.
On the USTA scene, Hays was a top-250 player in the 16-and-unders, and he qualified for the USTA Zone Team National Tournament.
“When I found out about it, I was really excited,” South tennis coach Sheri Rehmer said. “It’s going to be great to see the guys play locally because they meant so much to our program.
“I never really saw Nick play up to his full potential because of the broken leg and it’s going to be great to see them as teammates again. I can hardly wait.”

UMKC sports information contributed to this report.