Kaufman/Wiebe headed to state
The Hillsboro High School No. 1 doubles team of Kelsey Kaufman and Erin Wiebe, both juniors, finished second in the 3A regional tennis tournament. The tournament was held Monday and Tuesday at Hillsboro Sports Complex and Tabor College. Monday's matches were postponed because of rain and continued on Tuesday.
Kaufman/Wiebe defeated White/Duchame of Salina Sacred Heart, Francis/Bennett of Kansas City Christian, and Garrison/Schrader of Alma-Wabaunsee for a spot in the finals.
In the finals, the Hillsboro team lost to Burgess/Montgomery of Lyons.
"Kelsey and Erin played their best tournament of the season," head coach Lynn Wiebe said. "Their strategy and shot selection has improved steadily throughout the season."
"I was pleased with their second place finish at Regionals and am looking forward to the opportunity to see them play at the state tournament," she said.
The No. 2 doubles team of Emily Railsback, junior, and Kelli Just, senior, defeated Langaeth/Pacigo of Maranatha Academy and lost to Garrison/Schrader of Alma-Wabaunsee.
"Kelli and Emily had a very respectable season with many second and third place finishes," Wiebe said. "They showed up at Regionals and played the best tennis they had played this season."
"They fell just short of qualifying for state losing in the qualifying round," she said. "They moved their feet well and worked hard to get to each ball."
In singles competition, No. 1 singles Gina Andrews, junior, lost to Lackey of Sabetha.
"Gina played No. 1 singles all season long," Wiebe said. "She played against many of the best players in the state. She was not able to make it past the first round of play at Regionals; however, she has represented us well throughout this past season."
"She never gave up and always gave it her all," she said. "Gina works hard whenever she is on the court and has been a good leader on our team."
No. 2 singles sophomore Danielle Hagen defeated Splichal of Belleville and lost to McKee of Sacred Heart, who went on to win the first.
"Danielle played No. 2 singles for us all season," Wiebe said. "She won her play-in match at Regionals with a 8-1 win over Sarah Splechal of Belleville."
"Danielle improved a lot this year and fought hard in each match she played in." Wiebe said.
Lyons finished first with 14 points, Sacred Heart, six points, and Hillsboro and Maranatha Academy of Shawnee, five points each.
Kaufman and Wiebe will compete in the state tournament Friday and Saturday at Genesis Health Club in Wichita. Play begins at 12:30 p.m.
"I was very pleased with how we are finishing the season," Wiebe said. "We struggled off and on throughout this season with our intensity.
"However, looking back I can see a steady increased in that part of our game," she said. "We have learned that a positive response to both points that we have won and points that we have lost improves our ability to play the next point to the best of our ability."
