Doubles teams struggle

By OLIVER GOOD

Staff writer

Senior Allison Weber defeated a Central Plains opponent in the first round, and Abilene opponents in the second and third rounds before losing to Hesston’s Morgan Holopirek, 8-2, Thursday at Smoky Valley tennis invitational.

“Allison stayed with the hard-hitting sophomore,” coach Bob Woelk said. “She was one service break away from forcing a tiebreaker. It was a fun match to watch except for the outcome.”

Although Woelk said Holopirek was an excellent player, he said Allison displayed ability to run down shots that other players might not try to return.

At one point, Weber was down two service breaks before stringing together three game wins in a row to pull within one.

Woelk said Hillsboro’s league draw continues to become more competitive overall.

Senior Claire Heyen lost against Central Plains, defeated a player from Ellsworth, lost to Hutch Trinity, and beat another Trinity player to finish in 11th place.

“Her final placing doesn’t show it, but she picked up two solid wins,” Woelk said. “She is hitting ground strokes extremely well right now.”

Woelk said both doubles teams continue to struggle, too.

Woelk said the teams of Allison Gray and Madison Klein and Hannah Funk and Anna Glanzer, made good shots at times, but must get to the point where they can consistently return routine shots.

“Unforced errors and double faults are killing us,” he said.

Hesston

Weber placed third in singles behind last year’s state champion Anna Reidemiller of Wichita Independent and Holopirek Saturday at Hesston.

Weber is 11-3 this season.

Heyen made a stronger showing, going 2-2 and placing fourth in singles play.

Her season record is 7-7.

Due to conflicts with ACT testing, Gray and Funk teamed up for the first time this year and took seventh place after losing three matches in pool play.

Glanzer and Mary Leihy finished the day in fifth with a 2-2 record.

Hillsboro’s next tennis action is Sept. 25 at home.