By William for www.mcpherson-county-ks.com

            LINDSBORG – For the 2022 season, the Smoky Valley girls tennis team will look to have continued success at both the league, regional and state levels.

            All Vince Warbinton did in his first season as head coach for the Lady Vikings was lead them to a league and regional championship before finishing as state runner-up in Class 3-2-1A and then earning a State Class 3-2-1A Coach-of-the-Year honor.

            “The Lady Vikings have won a state title four times and our goal is to earn another this fall,” explained Coach Warbinton. “We return four varsity players from last season’s state runner-up team, including Campbell Gaskill and Karee Adam who finished eighth at state in #2 doubles in 2021.”

            Another top returnee will be Lena Rauchholz who enters her senior season with three straight state medals to her name after finishing 12th in singles as a freshman, and then placing fifth and sixth in doubles as a sophomore and junior. Kayla Norberg also returns after playing #2 singles last season while also winning a Central Kansas League doubles title.

            Among the other returning letter winners looking to push for the final two varsity spots will be Lily Heline, Kelsee Adam, Madelyn Mauk, Ella Stambaugh-Tubbs, Jillian Hett, Jamie Bean and Acacia Pracht.

            The Lady Vikings will open their 2022 varsity season on Thursday, August 25 at Hesston.

2022 LADY VIKING TENNIS ROSTER:

  • Seniors (3) = Lena Rauchholz, Karee Adam and Campbell Gaskill.
  • Juniors (3) = Kayla Norberg, Kelsee Adam and Jamie Bean.
  • Sophomores (5) = Madelyn Mauk, Ella Stambaugh-Tubbs, Jillian Hett, Acacia Pracht and Lily Heline.
  • Freshman (3) = Lillian Fulton, Katelyn Leis and Memphis Patterson.

2022 Lady Vikings Tennis Schedule:

  • Tuesday, August 23 – junior varsity at Buhler, 3:00 pm
  • Thursday, August 25 – varsity at Hesston, 3:00 pm & junior varsity at Ellsworth, 3:00 pm
  • Tuesday, August 30 – varsity at Ellsworth, 1:00 pm & junior varsity at McPherson, 3:00 pm
  • Thursday, September 1 – junior varsity at home, 3:00 pm
  • Tuesday, September 6 – junior varsity at Hesston, 3:00 pm
  • Thursday, September 8 – varsity at home, 10:00 am
  • Saturday, September 10 – varsity at Hesston, 9:00 am
  • Tuesday, September 13 – junior varsity at Hesston, 3:00 pm
  • Thursday, September 15 – varsity at Ellsworth, 1:00 pm
  • Saturday, September 17 – varsity at home, 9:00 am
  • Tuesday, September 20 – varsity at Hesston, 3:00 pm & junior varsity at Salina Central, 3:00 pm
  • Thursday, September 22 – junior varsity at home, 3:00 pm
  • Tuesday, September 27 – junior varsity at Hesston, 3:00 pm
  • Saturday, October 1 – Varsity CKL Meet at Hesston, 9:00 am
  • Friday/Saturday, October 7/8 – Regionals
  • Friday/Saturday, October 14/15 – State Meet