The Chanute Blue Comets JV girls tennis team fought through tough conditions at their tournament on Sept. 5, coming away with impressive wins in both singles and doubles play.
“What a day for these young ladies,” Coach Max Ruark said. “It was a very difficult day to play due to the heat, but I was extremely proud of our effort and results. Many girls received their first high school tennis experience, and everyone shined in their own way.”
In No. 1 singles, sophomore Sarah Uhner was dominant for Chanute Blue, securing three victories with scores of 8-0 over LCHS, 8-0 over Coffeyville, and 8-4 against Chanute Gold’s freshman Reece Swiler.
Chanute Blue sophomore Brilynn Ward added a win in #2 singles, defeating Kinsley Lassen of LCHS 8-0, before defaulting to senior Marthe Darmena of Chanute Gold. Ward trailed 4-6 before heat forced her to withdraw.
Darmena, who finished the day 3-0, and Ward impressed Ruark with their play against one another.
“It was a highly competitive match with long points,” Ruark said. “Unfortunately, Brilynn got overheated and had to withdraw, but I was so impressed with how they played.”
Also competing at No. 2 singles for Chanute Extra was senior Abby Fisher, who is out for tennis for the first time. Playing in her first matches, Fisher went 0-3, but showed steady improvement.
In No. 1 doubles action, Chanute Blue’s duo of sophomore Chloe Hill and freshman Rylee Dent paired up for two solid victories. They defeated Labette County 8-5 and Coffeyville 8-0, but narrowly lost to Chanute Gold’s junior Averee Hicks and sophomore Jocelyn Sluder 5-8.
Hick and Sluder also went 2-1 on the day, their lone loss a 7-8 (3-7) tiebreaker loss to Labette County.
Meanwhile, Chanute Blue sophomores Bailey Brecheisen and Sophia Guan impressed in #2 doubles with wins over Labette County (6-2) and Chanute Extra‘s team of senior Brooklyn Espe and sophomore Chloe Espinoza (6-3) before defaulting to Chanute Gold’s duo of sophomores Gracie Love and Bella Godinez.
Love and Godinez won all three of their matches, including an 8-1 victory over Chanute Extra and a 2-0 default win over Brecheisen and Guan.
Ruark praised the improvement in both singles and doubles play throughout the day.
“There were so many great shots and volleys, and I was so impressed with the improvement by the girls as the day went on,” Ruark said. “I am very excited for these girls and can’t wait to see their continued improvement as we continue on.”The Chanute JV team looks to build on these successes in their next tournament on Tuesday at Parsons.