WICHITA, Kan.—
Last Monday, the 15th, Wichita Collegiate School’s girls’ tennis team swept the state tournament as all champions came from the young team. The Spartans secured another victory, a tally that now stands at 23.Junior Brooke Withrow took first in singles and freshmen Hannah Osland and Morgan Bergen took first in doubles. Keli Dunn and Lindsay Funke, both seniors, took second in doubles, just behind the two freshmen. Jaya Montavani took fourth in singles.
Collegiate Head Coach Dave Hawley commented on the prowess of his team, but he did not fully expect a win going into the state tournament.
“This team played at one of the best state meets, and it is all a combination of talent and hard work,” said Hawley. “I knew we were very capable, but so were other teams.”
Hawley is looking forward to the return of the freshman doubles team and both Withrow and Montavoni playing singles next year.
The most dominant player in the tournament was Withrow. She won every game of every match all through the state tournament, totaling 24 won games to zero for her opponents, an almost unheard-of feat. She said that she owes her success to all of her hard work.
“I’ve been playing tennis since I was three years old,” said Withrow. “I’ve practiced for a couple hours almost every day ever since I started playing competitive tennis, around five years old.”
She was excited to win state, but remained humble. She had no thoughts that she would dominate the entire tournament.
“Walking into state, I tried not to think too far ahead and just take it match by match,” said Withrow. “It would certainly be an honor to win state with my team next year, but like I said, I try not to think too far ahead.”
The team proved its mettle once again and hopes to repeat its wins next year with mostly the same team. Unfortunately the squad will lose Funke and Dunn, but the duo will be replaced with some new blood for next year’s team.
