Kayla Nguyen
Sugar Beet staff reporter
The girls’ tennis team are closing out their regular season with the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). They’ve had a busy two weeks playing at the Gardner-Edgerton Invite on Sept. 26, Hutchinson Invite on Sept. 27, McPherson Invite on Sept. 29, and WAC on Oct. 1.
The Gardner Edgerton Invite proved to be a good one for the girls, capturing a team first place. Hannah Kipp and Carole Galia, playing number two doubles, grabbed a first place medal. While Carson Linenberger, Sage Riggs and Taryn Tabor placed in second, playing number one doubles and singles, respectively. Landing in fourth was Rilee McGraw, playing number two singles.
The Hutchinson Invite was a satisfactory meet for them as well, receiving second as a team. Placing first, Linenberger and Riggs, second, Tabor and McGraw and in third Kipp and Galia. The McPherson Invite, however, was a different story. Linenberger and Riggs landed in eighth place, going 1-3, as well as McGraw. But, for Tabor, Kipp and Galia they went 2-2.
“I think they’ve gone pretty well, except for the one in McPherson,” Riggs said about her performance during the recent meets. “We lost more matches (at the McPherson Meet) than we have all season.”
But, the real nerves came during the WAC tournament that took place at home for the Buffs. The day started with some light rain that led to an anticipated delay, adding to that was 50 degree weather. Despite the weather, the Buffs took home a team first place WAC medal. The girls took advantage of this meet as a way to redeem themselves, and it deemed to be successful. Eresay Alcantar went 3-1 and captured first in the number two singles. Linenberger and Riggs had a perfect day going 4-0 and take first. Kipp and Galia went 3-1 and take second, as well as Tabor.
For the junior varsity team, they ended their season with a meet in Meade on Sept. 25 and Colby on Sept. 29.
“It went really smooth my coaches and teammates were really helpful and I had a great doubles partner,” said Ashleigh Chappel, sophomore, about her overall season.
Next up for the Buffs are they will travel to Dodge City for Regionals on October 5. This tournament will determine who will go to state depending on the top six finishers out of the doubles and singles teams. This type of pressure could elicit nerves for the girls.
“A little (nervous) because the teams that go to regionals are decent,” Galia said about how she’s feeling for regionals.
Kayla Nguyen is a health sophomore. You can contact her at nguyenk3@student.gckschools.com.
Garden City High School 