October is a crucial month for fall sports teams looking to advance and perform well in post-season play. Although the volleyball and football teams still have a few weeks remaining, the girls’ tennis season came to a close Oct. 15.

Oct. 7 and 8, the tennis team traveled to South Barber to compete in regionals. Doubles partners and seniors Samantha Koch and Erica Ebenkamp placed first overall, and the other doubles team consisting of senior Taylor May and freshman Karlee Osner placed second.

May said that practicing hard every day and working together has been the key to their success this season.

Juniors Jera Wolke and Sabrina Bellar played in the singles bracket, with Bellar placing first and Wolke sixth.

“It was tough competition and tough matches, plus it was cold,” Wolke said, “but we made several improvements and played well.”

Overall, the team placed first in regionals, qualifying the entire team to compete in state Oct. 14 and 15 at Wichita Riverside. In the singles bracket, Bellar placed seventh. Doubles partners Ebenkamp and Koch finished in fourth and May and Osner finished in seventh. As a team, they placed fourth.

“It was a bit disappointing, but there was good competition,” Bellar said.

Before heading to Riverside, the tennis team attends the pep rally held on Oct. 13. Coach Bellar gave the crowd a few words on the girls’ season, and the players led the crowd in a cheer to spell “cranky” — one of their mottos for the season. Photo by Zachary Schwarzenberger.