Staff writer
Hillsboro High School’s girls tennis team was undefeated in the doubles portion of the Trojan Invitational Monday in Hillsboro.
The tournament used a round robin format because only five teams competed after the meet was rained out Thursday.
Becky Faber and Emma Heyen swept the No. 1 doubles portion of the meet. Their closest match was an 8-4 victory over Circle. They also notched victories over Sterling, 8-3; Wichita Collegiate, 8-1; and Hutchinson Trinity, 8-2.
Coach Bob Woelk said the duo has developed excellent chemistry because they have played together a lot this season. They both know where the other one will be on the court at any time, he said. They are 13-1 in doubles play.
Not to be outdone, Elise Heyen and Courtney Weber were undefeated in the No. 2 doubles bracket. They defeated Circle, 8-1; Sterling, 8-5; Wichita Collegiate, 8-5; and Hutchinson Trinity, 8-1.
“Our doubles teams are hitting the ball the best they have all year,” Woelk said. “Things we’ve worked on all year are showing up.”
Hayley Pankratz struggled in the No. 1 singles bracket, posting a 0-4 record. She had losses against Wichita Collegiate, Hutchinson Trinity, Circle, and Sterling.
Erin Winter won a match in the No. 2 singles bracket, defeating Hutchinson Trinity, 8-5. She had losses against Circle, Sterling, and Wichita Collegiate.
Overall, the team finished in third place, only two points behind first-place finisher Circle.
The Trojans have two more varsity meets before substate Oct. 8 and 9. They travel to Lindsborg Saturday and Abilene Tuesday. Woelk said the team’s substate group is loaded with talented opponents.
“It’s like the state meet at our regional,” he said.
Wichita Collegiate meet
Hillsboro’s No. 2 doubles team of Courtney Weber and Elise Heyen finished third out of eight teams in a field of mostly 4A and 5A schools. They began by defeating Goddard, 8-2. Woelk described it as one of their most efficient matches.
“It featured some great shot making and some aggressive net play,” he said.
They lost in the semifinals to Salina Central, 8-1, but rebounded with a win over Newton, 8-1, to win the bronze medal.
Becky Faber and Emma Heyen lost for their first time as a doubles team in the opening round of the No. 1 doubles bracket. They began with a 3-0 deficit against Winfield, but tied the match at 3-3, before losing 8-4.
They righted the ship, blanking Neodesha, 8-0, before defeating Goddard in a tiebreaker. Faber and Heyen were behind, 7-6, but forced a tiebreaker and dominated the extra session, Woelk said.
Aubrey Meier earned seventh place in the No. 2 singles bracket. She began with a loss to Salina Central, 8-2. She also lost to Wichita Collegiate, 8-3, but defeated Neodesha, 8-5, to finish the tournament.
No. 1 singles player Hayley Pankratz finished in eighth place, following losses to Wichita Collegiate, 8-0; Winfield, 8-3; and Neodesha; 8-2.
The Central Kansas League tournament is Saturday at Smoky Valley in Lindsborg. Matches begin at 9 a.m.