HESSTON — The Ellsworth tennis team played at the Hesston Invitational Sept. 24. They won first with 30 points, vastly outpacing the competition.

First was No. 1 singles, played by sophomore Karli Haase. There was no safety for Haven when she beat them 8-0. She then undid both Hutch Trinity 8-0 and Smoky Valley 8-1. She claimed first, and earned 8 points for the team.

“I prefer being the only one on the court because I can be like the one in charge of the game,” Haase said. “I like to change up the game. I’ll hit it hard… and change it up”.

Next was No. 2 singles, played by sophomore Hannah Vague. She started out by defeating Smoky Valley 8-0. She then exterminated Conway Springs and Hesston, 8-3 each, earning 6 points for the team.

Vague said the most important thing is to, “Keep…it cross-court until you see the down the line shot open up, and then just keep the ball in play.”

Following that was No. 1 doubles, played by junior Inari Rippert and sophomore Reygan Coonod. They defeated Hutch Trinity 8-0, Hesston 8-3 and Conway Springs 8-7.

They earned first, contributing 8 points to the team.

“It’s difficult (playing doubles) just because it’s an extra person on the court, and you have to communicate with your partner, and communicate where the other team’s at, because it’s not just you out there,” Coonrod said.

Finally, No. 2 Doubles was played by junior Felis De La Cruz and senior Elena Jundt. They started by beating Hutch Trinity 8-0 and went on to defeat both Circle and Hesston, 8-2 each. They claimed first, and earned 8 points for the team.

De La Cruz said the hardest part is “being at the net … and just watching the net player, making sure where she is, because they could be anywhere on the court ... it’s just hard. (It’s ) just getting the ball back really; they’ll mess up eventually.”

All of the success starts on the practice court, working hard at 6 a.m.

“I just ask the girls to always give their best effort,” head coach Eric Anderson said. “We do different drills and I want them to give their best effort all the time, whether they like the drill or don’t like the drill. They just gotta always do what they’re supposed to do.”

The team hosted round robin tournaments at home Oct. 1 and 3. Regional competition is Oct. 11-12 at WaKeeney-Trego Community High School.

“I prefer being the only one on the court because I can be like the one in charge of the game. I like to change up the game. I’ll hit it hard … and change it up.”

Karli Haase

Sophomore Tennis Player