By Staff

     

            HESSTON – The Smoky Valley girls tennis team began winding down their 2022 season on Saturday with the Central Kansas League Meet in Hesston where they won three individual league championships while also winning the team title.

            Scoring 78 team points, the Lady Vikings outdistanced second place Larned with 62 while Pratt finished third with 56 and Hesston took fourth with 55. Hillsboro, Lyons, Hoisington, Haven and Nickerson rounded out the nine-team league meet.

            Individually, Smoky Valley went 11-1 on the day and won three individual championships led by Lena Rauchholz going 3-0 and winning at number one singles. Rauchholz came into the meet seeded third and defeated the second seed in the semi-final match before out playing the top seed in the championship match.

            “Lena (Rauchholz) showed such grit and toughness in her semifinal and final matches,” noted Lady Viking head coach Vince Warbinton. “Assistant coach Gary Butler did a fantastic job of keeping her focused in each match. I’m so proud of her for coming back in both matches after losing the first set in both.”

            At number one doubles, the Lady Viking duo of Campbell Gaskill and Karee Adam lived up to their number one seed position by going 3-0 and earning a league championship trophy.

            Coach Warbinton added, “This is the second year in a row that these two have won the number one doubles in the CKL tournament. Hesston played a great match, and I was extremely proud of these two for fighting back in the third set super tiebreaker to get the win. I am really excited for this duo going into the regional meet.”

            Kayla Norberg and Lily Heline were seeded number three at number two doubles where they beat the number two seed team from Hesston in the semi-finals before taking the championship trophy.

            Referencing his number two doubles tandem, Warbinton pointed out, “These two played their best tennis of the season. Really stayed focused and made fantastic shots against Hesston in the semifinal match before taking care of business in the finals against Hoisington.”

            Kelsee Adam at number two singles came into the league meet seeded third and after beating the number two seed in the semi-final match, lost a heartbreaker to the number one seed in the championship match to complete the day 2-1 and finish second.

            Speaking of Kelsee, Warbinton said, “Kelsee had her best week of practice coming into the league tournament and it showed. It was her first time making a final this season and she did such a great job, especially in her semifinal match.”

            Next up will be the State Regionals on Friday and Saturday in Marysville.      

SMOKY VALLEY LADY VIKING TENNIS at Central Kansas League Meet

Team Standings: 1. LADY VIKINGS – 78; 2. Larned – 62; 3. Pratt – 56; 4. Hesston -55; 5. Hillsboro – 28; 6. Lyons – 16; 7. Hoisington – 30; 8. Haven – 18; 9. Nickerson – 17.

LADY VIKING INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:  

#1 Singles: 1. Lena Rauchholz 3-0.

#2 Singles: 2. Kelsee Adam 2-1.

#1 Doubles: 1. Campbell Gaskill/Karee Adam 3-0

#2 Doubles: 1. Kayla Norberg/Lily Heline 3-0

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)