EMPORIA, Kan.—
It took three days to complete the 4A state championship due to weather delays in Emporia, but the Wichita Collegiate girls’ tennis team took no notice to the changes and pushed through to win their fourth consecutive state title.The Collegiate team worked together not only to win the overall title, but to win the singles and doubles championships as well.
Junior Brooke Withrow won her second 4A singles title after defeating Abbi Groff from Independence 6-0, 6-0. Withrow says that with the company of her teammates she was able to dominate her final match of the season.
“I didn’t really lean on anything,” said Withrow. “Just having my team watch me was definitely what helped me most out there because it made the nerves go away during the match.”
Head coach David Hawley was not surprised by Withrow’s overpowering performance in the tournament because she has been what he calls a model for all tennis players.
“She’s incomparable,” said Hawley. “We’ve had some really, really great players through the years, but I’ve never had anybody quite like her. She’s just so dominant, so focused, so driven.”
After Withrow won the singles championship for the Spartans, it was her turn to support her teammates. The Collegiate doubles teams were up on their feet and headed to the next court in order to face each other in the doubles championship. Freshmen Morgan Bergan and Hannah Osland were up to compete against seniors Keli Dunn and Lindsay Funke.
The duos played competitively and it was apparent that the title would not be won easily, even between teammates. After many volleys and short water breaks, Bergan and Osland came out on top winning the tiebreaker 7-5.
Coach Hawley was proud of his team’s success in the tournament, but there were some mixed feels.
“It’s one of those things when your kids play each other like that match at the end,” said Hawley. “Our seniors have given us a ton through the four years they’ve been here and have been tremendous contributors to our program so it’s difficult to watch them lose. On the other hand, our freshmen have earned their right at this spot so they have nothing to apologize for.”
The Spartans won the overall title with a score of 68 while Independence won second with a score of 33. Topeka Hayden came in third with a 26, and Hesston took fourth with a 21.
Desoto’s Paige Williams won third place in singles followed by another Collegiate player Jaya Mantovani who places fourth. Buhler’s Vickie Dukart and Jessica Steffen took third in doubles after defeated Jaimie Myers and Jenna Pelter from Topeka Hayden.
For complete results click here
