HHS-Gold tennis team takes second
The Hillsboro High School girls' tennis team hosted an invitational tennis meet Thursday at the sports complex.
Hillsboro had two teams competing at the meet — Hillsboro-Gold and Hillsboro-Red. Other schools participating were Chapman, Circle, Sacred Heart, Sterling, Hutch Trinity, Wichita Collegiate, and Wichita Independent.
"This was a good meet for us," head coach Lynn Wiebe said.
"It's rewarding to see the girls improving on their intensity and mental toughness and staying in there, even in the tough matches," she said.
Wichita Independent took first with a score of 52. Hillsboro-Gold was second with 48; Sacred Heart, third with 40; Circle, fourth with 38; Chapman, fifth with 26; Sterling, sixth with 24; Hutch Trinity, seventh with 20; Wichita Collegiate, eight with 18; and Hillsboro-Red, ninth with 12.
In the No. 1 and 2 singles, Wiebe said, "Both singles players did a nice job of maintaining their intensity."
"There were numerous rallies that went back and forth 10-20 times or more," she said.
In No. 1 singles, Hillsboro-Gold Erin Wiebe placed fourth. She won her first round against Sterling 8-1 but lost the second round to Sacred Heart 8-0. She played for third place but lost to Hutch Trinity in a tiebreaker 8-7 (7-1) and took fourth.
In No. 1 singles for Hillsboro-Red, Whitney Washmon lost her first two rounds, but came back in her final match to defeat Sterling in a tiebreaker 8-7 (7-6).
In No. 2 singles for Hillsboro-Gold, Lora Andrews took second. In the first round, Andrews defeated Francesca Bona from Hillsboro-Red 8-1, in the second round, Andrews defeated Wichita Collegiate in a tiebreaker 8-7 (7-5). She lost to Wichita Independent for first place 8-2.
Also in No. 2 singles play, Bona lost her first round to teammate, Andrews 8-1, won her second round against Hutch Trinity, and defeated Sterling 8-4. She took fifth place by defeating her Circle opponent 8-6.
In No. 1 doubles, Hillsboro-Gold Kelsey Kaufman and Amanda Faber won their first round against Sterling 8-1, defeated Chapman in the second round 8-2. They lost the championship round to Wichita Independent 8-1, and took second.
"Kelsey and Amanda are improving with every match," Coach Wiebe said. "They did a nice job of stepping up and playing at the No. 1 doubles position this meet."
In No. 1 doubles for the Hillsboro-Red team, Heather Stepanek and Mallory Blecha lost their first match to Wichita Collegiate, lost the second round to Sterling and their third round to Hutch Trinity.
In No. 2 doubles, Hillsboro-Gold Emily Railsback and Danielle Hagen won their first match against Wichita Collegiate 8-2. The lost in the second round to Wichita Independent 8-2. They played for third place but lost to Sterling 8-6 and placed fourth.
In No. 2 doubles, Hillsboro-Red Chelsey Harmon and Audrey Weinbrenner lost to Chapman in the first round, Sacred Heart in the second round, and Hutch Trinity in the third round. But they defeated Wichita Collegiate in the fourth round 8-1 to take seventh place.
"I was very pleased with a second place team finish at his meet," Coach Wiebe said. "We know we still have some weak spots and we know where they are."
Wiebe said the players have responded well in making the necessary adjustments in their game.
"Our biggest challenge of the season aside from post-season play is the league meet at Hesston.
"However, I'm looking forward to the challenge this year," Wiebe said. "I feel we are ready to make a decent showing at this meet.
The MCAA league meet will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Hesston.
