Spain and Logan Advance to State Quarterfinals

          In 2012, the Redbirds dynamic duo of Pat Logan and Pat Spain advanced to the quarterfinals of the IHSA State Tennis Tournament for the first time in school history.  After being the first Redbird doubles team to receive a 9-16 seed, the Redbirds won their first four matches to advance to the elite eight.  The quarterfinals are a major accomplishment, considering that the state tournament starts out with 128 doubles teams in the field.  Furthermore, Spain and Logan are also the first players in Alton High School history to still be alive on day three of the state tournament.  It was a dream come true for the Redbird players, fans, and coaches as Logan and Spain performed with the top eight doubles teams in the state and top eight singles players at state, as all matches in the quarters took place at tournament central—John Hersey High School.  The quarterfinals and beyond are also the only time in Illinois High School play when USTA officials work the matches.

          Spain and Logan began their run to the quarters at always friendly Palatine High School by defeating Jack Gallo and Jack Ryan of Oak Park Fenwick 6-1, 6-0 on Thursday. In the second round, the Redbirds defeated Daniel Sherwood and Cam McElheny of Carbondale 6-0, 6-0.  The third round brought a very tough opponent for Spain and Logan, Chandler Clayton and Kevin Wang from Peoria Richwoods.  Clayton and Wang defeated Spain and Logan earlier in the year.  In the rematch, the Redbirds prevailed in a thrilling three sets, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 to finish day one with a perfect 3-0 record.

          The Redbirds advanced to the round of 16 on Friday morning, in a match played at Buffalo Grove High School.  The Redbirds opponent was Cody Freischlag and Connor Harmon, a 5-8 seeded team from Downer’s Grove South.  The Redbirds came out playing inspired and never let the team from DGS get into a rhythm.  Spain and Logan prevailed 6-2, 7-5 in front of a boisterous crowd that included many players and coaches from Southern Illinois who supported the Redbirds through every point.  Defeating Downer’s Grove South meant that for the first time ever, players from Alton would be playing in the prestigious round of eight.  It was a very memorable match for everyone and match point set off a huge celebration in the stands and on the court.

          In the quarterfinals on Friday afternoon, Spain and Logan were defeated by Alex Hagermoser and Peter Heneghan from Hinsdale Central.  Hagermoser and Heneghan would go on to win the 2012 IHSA State championship in doubles.  The Redbirds lost 1-6, 3-6.  Never the less, it was the greatest two days in Alton High tennis history and will be remembered for a long time by everyone associated with the program.  The Redbirds were eliminated on Saturday of the tournament by Lincolnshire Stevenson.

          Spain and Logan finished their careers as three time all state players and with 13 career state victories as a doubles team.  Their run to the quarters is a benchmark for all future tennis players at Alton High School.  Spain and Logan also finished their careers with a remarkable 305 combined victories (Logan- 162 wins, Spain-143).  An inspiration for Spain and Logan through it all was Rob Simpson, a four time all state tennis player in singles for the Redbirds from 1998-2002 who has the most career state tournament victories at state with 15.