Doubles takes second; team places overall

WICHITA — The entire Ellsworth tennis team went to the 3-21A State Tournament Oct. 18-19. Out of 27 teams and 72 individual players, Ellsworth took second place overall as a team.

Head Coach Eric Anderson said this is the second time in school history the team placed in the top three. The first was a third place team finish in 2020.

“I am very proud of the girls for their performances not only this past weekend at State Tennis, but for the entirety of the past two seasons!” he said. “We have talked since last season about having a target on our back and how we need to continue to work hard and get better on a daily basis. I think that our entire tennis team buys into our mantra of finding a way to make yourself better each and every day at practice or at a meet.”

Freshman Reygan Coonrod and junior Inarie Rippert placed second overall. The duo started by annihilating Cimarron 6-0 both times (each seed was played best two out of three).

They went on to defeat the Ellsworth doubles team of junior Felis De La Cruz and senior Elena Jundt 6-2 and 6-0. They lost to Wichita Collegiate 6-2 and 6-0 in the finals.

“I had really high goals for myself at state and knew my goal was the state championship,” Coonrod said. “Inarie and I wanted to be the best we could be every match we played, and pushed ourselves through tough matches. I’m already ready for next season! I love my team so much and we have so much fun together! I’m going to miss playing tennis with them.”

Sophomore Karli Haase claimed fifth place on the back side of the bracket. She started by winning against Marysville 6-2 both times. She then lost to St. John-Hudson 6-4 and 6-2. This moved her into the back side of the bracket, where she faced Ellsworth’s sophomore Hannah Vague, who she beat 8-3. In the back of the bracket, there was only one set per seed.

Next, she faced Marysville and won 8-1.

She ended by eviscerating Kingman 8-0.

“My performance at state was probably the best I’ve ever played all year,” Haase said. “I had hard competition and enjoyed playing. My performance was about well as I was hoping since I improved throughout the season.”

De La Cruz and Jundt won against Ellinwood 6-3 both times. They faced off against Coonrod and Rippert and lost 6-2 and 6-0. This booted them into the back side of the bracket, where they won against Greeley County 8-6 and earned 11th place.

“(I’m) relieved that it is over, but (I’m) so sad because we are losing Elena next year,” De La Cruz said. “This team will forever hold a special place in my heart. I am forever grateful for these girls.”

Vague started by winning against Sterling 6-3 and 6-1, but then lost to Kansas City Christian 6-2 and 6-1, which moved her to the back side of the bracket. She then won against Osborne 8-2 and Phillipsburg 8-4. Next, she lost to Haase 8-3. She placed 10th.

“Throughout the entire year, the coaches and teammates push me to be my best,” Vague said. “Along with family and friends, they encourage me to work hard, never give up and are always there to support me through my matches, which helps in its own ways.”

Anderson said he was confident the team would perform well this season.

“We have talked the entire season about believing in themselves and understanding that they are practicing against some of the best tennis players in the state from our own tennis team on a daily basis,” he said. “Then, when we go to meets/tournaments, they have that inner confidence that they can play with anyone.”

“I think that our entire tennis team buys into our mantra of finding a way to make yourself better each and every day at practice or at a meet.”

Eric Anderson

Head Tennis Coach