LINDSBORG — The Ellsworth girls’ tennis team placed first once again at the Smoky Valley Invitational Sept. 12, earning 60 points overall.

“Our team has a goal this season of bringing home a state trophy after coming up 2 points shy last fall,” coach Eric Anderson said. “They put in the off-season and are really working hard in practice to get better each and every day.

“All six of our varsity girls work hard dayafter- day and are good students of the game.”

At No. 1 singles, sophomore Karli Haase won 8-0 against Hillsboro, 8-0 against Hesston, 8-3 against Chapman and finally, 8-4 against Clay Center. She was the singles champion, earning 18 points for the team.

At No. 2 singles was sophomore Hannah Vague. She beat Smoky Valley 8-3 and Clay County 8-3. She lost against a different Clay County competitor 8-5. She earned 12 points for the team.

In No. 1 doubles were junior Inari Rippert and sophomore Reygan Coonrod. They won against Smoky Valley 8-1, Abilene 8-1, Ellsworth’s No. 2 doubles team 8-0 and Hesston 8-6. They earned 18 points for the team.

No. 2 doubles were played by junior Felis De La Cruz and senior Elena Jundt. They won against Central Plains 8-1, Chapman 8-5 and lost to Coonrod and Rippert. They earned 12 points for the team.

“Reygan and Inarie are the returning 321A State Doubles runner-up team and Elena and Felis are pairing together for the first time this season, however, Elena finished 11th at state last Fall with a different doubles partner,” Anderson said.

The team is about half way through its regular season.

“So far this season, I am pleased with our progress as a team,” Anderson said. “We continue to add new things at practice and ask the ladies to do more on a daily basis. Our goal is to continually get better day-after-day and to be the best that we can be for each and every practice and/or match.

“The girls understand that there is always room for improvement and continually attack each practice and match with the goal of improving as an individual and team.”

The team will host a meet Sept. 19.

Phillipsburg Sept. 10 Phillipsb urg — The Ellsworth girls’ tennis team competed at the Phillipsburg Varsity Quad Sept. 10. They claimed a first place victory with 30 points.

It started with sophomore Karli Haase playing No. 1 singles as she annihilated Trego 8-0 in the first round. In the second, she allotted no mercy for Phillipsburg, beating them 8-0. In the final round, she faced Norton, who also fell 8-0. Not a single point was levied against her. She scored 9 points for the team, as well as first for herself.

Next for Ellsworth would be No. 1 doubles, played by junior Inari Rippert and sophomore Reygan Coonrod. They won their match against Trego 8-1. The second match against Phillipsburg was a victory, 8-0. Norton was felled, 8-0. They earned 9 points for the team and claimed first place.

Sophomore Hannah Vague was the No. 2 singles player, defeating Trego 8-3 and Phillipsburg and Norton 8-0 each. She earned first, and scored 6 points for the team.

No. 2 doubles was played by senior Elena Jundt and junior Felis De La Cruz. They beat Trego 8-0, Phillipsburg 8-2 and Norton 8-0. They won first and earned 6 points for the team.

“The girls understand that there is always room for improvement and continually attack each practice and match with the goal of improving as an individual and team.”

Eric Anderson

Ellsworth Tennis Coach