HHS tennis competes at Sterling Invitational
Hillsboro High School girls' tennis team traveled to Sterling Thursday to compete in the Sterling Invitational tennis meet.
Eight schools participated at the meet. They included Conway Springs, Kingman, Hillsboro, Hutch Trinity, St. John, Greensburg, Claflin, and Sterling.
In the No. 1 singles competition, Erin Wiebe placed fourth.
"This was Erin's first meet to play singles," head coach Lynn Wiebe said.
In first round action against Sterling's Roach, Wiebe won 9-2.
"She played pretty average her first round," head coach Lynn Wiebe said. "But became a completely different player in the next two rounds."
Wiebe lost her second round in a tiebreaker 2-7 to Braun of Hutchinson Trinity. Braun finished sixth at 3A state competition last year.
"Erin's attitude improved tremendously," Coach Wiebe said. "She remained mentally tough throughout both matches."
Wiebe then lost the match for third place to Devlin of Conway Springs, 9-4.
"She moved her feet well and made an effort to get to everything," Coach Wiebe said. "I was very pleased with Erin's performance."
In the No. 2 singles match, Whitney Washmon finished fourth.
Washmon won her first round against Schneider of Sterling 9-0.
"Whitney improved her play as the day went on," Coach Wiebe said. "She advanced through her first round fairly easily."
In the next two rounds, Washmon lost to Lange of Conway Springs 9-3 and Schartz of Claflin 9-4 in the final round.
"In her last two matches, Whitney played some good long rallies and moved the ball well," Coach Wiebe said.
Kelsey Kaufman and Lora Andrews took third in the No. 1 doubles match.
The duo won the first round against Mazur/Mazur of Hutch Trinity 9-2.
In the second round Kaufman and Andrews lost to Rausch/Robinson of Conway Springs 9-1.
In the match for third place, Kaufman and Andrews defeated Kaiser/Stephens of Claflin 9-1.
"Kelsey and Lora worked hard to improve their net play," Coach Wiebe said. "As the meet went on, there was a noticeable improvement in how quickly they got to the net and how they finished off the point."
"I was pleased with the continued adjustments in their play," she said.
In the No. 2 doubles competition, Emily Railsback and Danielle placed fifth.
The team lost the first round to Green/Kenning of Hutch Trinity 9-7.
They then came back to win the next round against Oberle/Stos of Claflin 9-1.
In the final round of the day, Railsback and Hagen defeated McMichaels/Scheufler of Sterling.
"Emily and Danielle struggled in the first round with their unforced errors," Coach Wiebe said. "However, they also improved as the meet when on and came from a first round loss to win the consolation side of the bracket."
In summing up her team's play last week, Wiebe was pleased with how the girls were implementing the things they had been working on at practice. She said they had improved since the Hillsboro Invitational played at home Aug. 31.
Wiebe said the next two meets against Smoky Valley today at 3 p.m. in Lindsborg and Saturday at 9 a.m. in Hesston will be a "real test."
"We have the opportunity to meet up with some of the better teams in the league," she said.
HRC to hold NFL
punt, pass, and kick
Hillsboro Recreation Commission will hold an NFL punt, pass, and kick competition for all boys and girls ages 8 through 15. The competition will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 25 at Hillsboro Sports Complex.
The top finisher in each of the boys' and girls' division from the four age brackets will advance to the sectional round in October or early November.
