The Lansing girls tennis team is starting from scratch this season, after graduating the entire varsity lineup from a year ago. The Lady Lions got the season going early, traveling to Spring Hill for a dual on Thursday. Heather Averill was the lone Lansing player to come away with a win in that meet, earning an 8-2 decision at No. 3 singles. The team headed to Shawnee Heights for a doubles tournament Saturday, this time the team of Stephani Brooks and Jessica Long netting the team’s only win.
Although they didn’t come away with many victories, head coach Ed Fenton said pleased with how his girls came out in their season opener.
“I think it was as good as we could expect,” Fenton said of the Spring Hill dual, noting two of his singles players were pulled due to injuries. “I’m glad we competed like we did since it was the first varsity experience for all these kids. I keep reminding them that this time last year they were JV and the girls we’re facing right now were varsity. I was real happy with the win for Heather.”
At Spring Hill, No. 4 singles Alanda Kohl narrowly missed a win. She was edged 9-7 by her Spring Hill opponent. Laziza Lambert at No. 5 singles was also just short of the win, falling 8-4. Averill and Long teamed up at the No 2 doubles position on Thursday and were edged 8-5.
“I was really pleased with how Kohl and Lambert did in terms of playing girls who are older than them with a lot more experience than them,” Fenton said, noting both Kohl, a sophomore, and Lambert, a freshman, were taking on seniors. “Alanda had a chance at the end, but I think it just came down to the other girl having had more experience.”
Kohl and Lambert paired up at the doubles tournament on Saturday, also coming up just short of a victory. The duo was dealt a 8-6 defeat by Shawnee Heights. On the whole, with teams like perennial powerhouse Salina Central and Lawrence Free State in the mix at the doubles tournament, Fenton said he felt like it was good for his girls to see such high caliber teams.
“We took games here and there, but in watching our girls play we don’t have the experience when it comes to getting past deuce point,” Fenton said. “I don’t think we have the knowledge yet of how important the next point is, but that’ll come with time. We were playing girls who had placed in state last year, but it was good for the younger girls to see that. I think we have the potential to be there in three or four years. It was important for them to see what kind of commitment it’ll take (to get to that level).”
Next up for the Lansing girls is a dual on Tuesday, Sept. 7 against Immaculata at David Brewer Park in Leavenworth. The dual will begin at 3:30 p.m. and Fenton said he’s looking forward to it.
“That’s always a good one because of the great relationship we have with Immaculata,” Fenton said. “It’s a good place for us to play.”
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The Lansing girls tennis team is starting from scratch this season, after graduating the entire varsity lineup from a year ago. The Lady Lions got the season going early, traveling to Spring Hill for a dual on Thursday. Heather Averill was the lone Lansing player to come away with a win in that meet, earning an 8-2 decision at No. 3 singles. The team headed to Shawnee Heights for a doubles tournament Saturday, this time the team of Stephani Brooks and Jessica Long netting the team’s only win.
Although they didn’t come away with many victories, head coach Ed Fenton said pleased with how his girls came out in their season opener.
“I think it was as good as we could expect,” Fenton said of the Spring Hill dual, noting two of his singles players were pulled due to injuries. “I’m glad we competed like we did since it was the first varsity experience for all these kids. I keep reminding them that this time last year they were JV and the girls we’re facing right now were varsity. I was real happy with the win for Heather.”
At Spring Hill, No. 4 singles Alanda Kohl narrowly missed a win. She was edged 9-7 by her Spring Hill opponent. Laziza Lambert at No. 5 singles was also just short of the win, falling 8-4. Averill and Long teamed up at the No 2 doubles position on Thursday and were edged 8-5.
“I was really pleased with how Kohl and Lambert did in terms of playing girls who are older than them with a lot more experience than them,” Fenton said, noting both Kohl, a sophomore, and Lambert, a freshman, were taking on seniors. “Alanda had a chance at the end, but I think it just came down to the other girl having had more experience.”
Kohl and Lambert paired up at the doubles tournament on Saturday, also coming up just short of a victory. The duo was dealt a 8-6 defeat by Shawnee Heights. On the whole, with teams like perennial powerhouse Salina Central and Lawrence Free State in the mix at the doubles tournament, Fenton said he felt like it was good for his girls to see such high caliber teams.
“We took games here and there, but in watching our girls play we don’t have the experience when it comes to getting past deuce point,” Fenton said. “I don’t think we have the knowledge yet of how important the next point is, but that’ll come with time. We were playing girls who had placed in state last year, but it was good for the younger girls to see that. I think we have the potential to be there in three or four years. It was important for them to see what kind of commitment it’ll take (to get to that level).”
Next up for the Lansing girls is a dual on Tuesday, Sept. 7 against Immaculata at David Brewer Park in Leavenworth. The dual will begin at 3:30 p.m. and Fenton said he’s looking forward to it.
“That’s always a good one because of the great relationship we have with Immaculata,” Fenton said. “It’s a good place for us to play.”
