Kapaun tennis sends three entries to state

Although the rainy weather on Saturday caused a delay, the Kapaun Mt. Carmel girls’ tennis team managed to qualify two singles players and one doubles team for state.

Senior Abby Stevens and sophomore Allie Schulte qualified as singles players, and senior Rachael Baldwin and freshman Elizabeth Pringle qualified as a doubles team.

“I was pretty confident in both singles players,” coach Kathy Schulte said. “They’ve done a really good job in their play as far as wins and losses.”

Stevens said that although she expected a regional victory, she must still work to prepare for state.

“There are always things to be worked on,” Stevens said. “I think I will focus on my footwork this week, as well as just enjoying my last week playing high school tennis.”

Schulte said the group of teams at state, including Blue Valley and St. Thomas Aquinas, will bring a challenge, but both she and her players feel confident in their abilities.

“I think that we will play really well because we have played against many opponents with many strategies,” Pringle said. “We have learned how to use those strategies to our advantage.”

Schulte also said she expects a better variety of competitors, causing the scoring to be less tilted and “one-sided”.

“The ultimate goal is to win as a team,” Schulte said. “Individual wins are great, but we want to do it as a team also.”

The team will compete at the state competition in Goddard Friday and Saturday.