Topeka's Tennis Titans Poised for State Showdown

The first Kansas State High School Activities Association State Championship for the fall season is set to commence on Friday. The state's top tennis talents will converge, each vying to claim the coveted first state title of the year. The Topeka area is well-represented in this weekend's final tennis tournament, with a host of promising players and teams ready to showcase their skills on the court.

Topeka's Tennis Titans Primed for Glory

Hayden's Wildcats Roar onto the State Stage

The Class 4A State Championship will be hosted by Hayden High School at the Kossover Tennis Center, and the Wildcats have qualified the maximum number of players for the state tournament. In the singles competition, Ainzley Zulueta and Grace Funk will represent the Wildcats.Zulueta, a senior, is a force to be reckoned with, having won the individual state title in her freshman and sophomore seasons before sitting out her junior year. This season, she has been flawless, boasting a perfect 20-0 record. The only other player in the state with an undefeated record is Sterling's Chelsie Brown, who will be competing in the Class 3-1A tournament.Funk, a junior, will look to build on her past state experiences, having finished 11th last year and 10th in her freshman campaign. She currently holds an 8-3 record this season and is determined to make her mark at the state level.In the doubles competition, the dynamic duo of Emily Sheetz and Sophia Wichman have been dominant, amassing a 12-2 record. Sheetz, a senior, brings a wealth of experience, having won back-to-back doubles state titles, previously playing with Lauren Sandstrom. Now, she has helped guide the talented freshman Wichman to a successful regular season.The Wildcats' other doubles team, Izzy Glotzbach and Avery O'Bray, have also qualified for the state tournament, boasting an 11-7 record this year.

Washburn Rural's Talented Roster Shines Bright

Washburn Rural will be sending four players to compete in the Class 6A State Tournament. Carolina Alvarez Chedzoy, a sophomore, took second place in regional play last weekend and holds a 17-10 singles record this season. Chedzoy finished eighth in last year's state tournament and is determined to improve upon that result.Joining Chedzoy in the singles competition is fellow sophomore Julia Katzer, who earned a spot at state after taking fifth place in regionals. Katzer has a 17-10 record this season.The Junior Blues' doubles team of Emerie Catlin and Isabelle Haggard, both seniors, won regionals and have an impressive 21-4 record. This experienced duo is one of the most formidable in the Class 6A state competition, with only two other doubles pairs having fewer losses and at least 20 wins.

Topeka High's Trio Shines on the State Stage

After missing the state tournament last year, Topeka High junior Madeline Deters has been on a mission to return. She took third place in regionals last week and boasts an excellent 24-6 record. Deters is one of only two players in the Class 6A field with more wins than her this season.Deters will be joined at state by the doubles team of junior Ava Ritter and freshman Hailey Caryl, who took fifth in regionals and have a 22-8 record.

Seaman's Youthful Roster Poised for Success

Seaman High School dominated their regional championship, taking first and second place in both the singles and doubles divisions. Despite the team's youthfulness, with only one senior, Sidney Chinn, among the six players, their quality of play on the court is seasoned.Chinn will be paired with junior Peyton Henry in doubles, and they have a 23-5 record on the year. Sophomores Camryn Lux and Kaylyn Hiebsch will also represent Seaman at state, with their 22-8 doubles record.In singles, Seaman's Emma Sweeney and Molly Gorman took first and second place in regionals, respectively. Sweeney, a sophomore, has an impressive 27-3 record, making her one of four players in the Class 5A field with 27 or more wins entering the state tournament. Gorman, also a sophomore, is right behind her with a 25-4 record.

Cair Paravel's Madilyn Poole Shines Bright

Cair Paravel's sole representative at the state tournament is sophomore Madilyn Poole, who took second place in last week's regionals. Poole has made significant strides since her freshman year, when she missed out on a state tournament berth by finishing seventh in regionals. This season, she holds a 19-6 record and is poised to make her mark at the state level.