BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend girls tennis coach Zachary Bartel earned Western Athletic Coach of the Year. No. 1 singles and 5A state qualifier Kaylin Wahlmeier captured the WAC tennis championship. Reigning WAC champion Garden City (14) edged the Panthers (11) for the WAC title.
"Last season was successful," Bartel said. "It was great to see Kaylin Wahlmeier earn our first state qualifier in a number of years."
No. 2 doubles Darcy Feist-Mac Lindberg (14-8) tied for first in the Western Athletic. No. 2 singles Paige Stacey (14-10) placed runner-up at WAC. Clarise Snapp (10-10) also gained varsity experience in 2023.
"It felt good to peak right at the WAC Tournament," Bartel said. ".We were a couple matches away from knocking off Garden City. We split our four matches with Garden, but couldn't get anyone else to help us by getting victories over them."
No. 1 singles Paige Stacey and No. 1 doubles Feist/Lindberg should earn the top spots.
"I don't expect a drop-off from last year," he said. "Stacey played a ton of tennis this summer. She has been ripping the ball and has developed an effective kick serve. Feist and Lindberg improved in the middle of last season. They will get better as they get more doubles experience."
The rest of the lineup will be competitive with several candidates with varsity experience.
"Mackenzie LaViolette worked hard this summer and has played varsity doubles," he said. "Clarise Snapp has played singles and doubles at the varsity level. Kylie McCormick and Beth Hammeke are contenders for varsity spots. We will try some different combinations at practice and use the first few meets to figure out our full lineup."
Bartel is hopeful the Panthers can push the Buffaloes at the Oct. 7 Western Athletic Tournament.
"No players from Garden's varsity team graduated, so I'm expecting their same team back," Bartel said. "They will be the favorites going into the season. As a team, we believe we can push for the top of the WAC again. Garden City will be tough to surpass, but we have a shot at dethroning them if everything comes together."
Shannon Schartz and Barbi Austin are assistant coaches.
"The three of us coached the boys team for several years a few years back, so I know we will work well together," Bartel said.
PANTHER TENNIS
SENIORS—Clarise Snapp (S 10-10); Mackenzie LaViolette (D 14-7, WAC 5TH); Isabel Castruita, Darcy Feist (D 14-8; WAC 1ST, TIE), Jacklyn Garcia, Kylie McCormick
JUNIORS—Sheridan Johnson, Mac Lindberg (D 14-8, WAC 1ST TIE), Kennedi Stalcup
SOPHOMORES—Olivia Boone, Addi Gotts, Beth Hammeke, Maddie Seifkes, Paige Stacey (S 14-10; WAC 2ND), Ashlee Humburg, Tess Riley
NINTH-GRADERS—Sophia Babcock, Sydney Bailey, Addison Hart, Olivia Loera, Sophie Popp, Emma Snapp
PANTHER SCHEDULE
8-29—at Lyons, at Dodge City JV
9-3—at McPherson JV
9-5—at McPherson
9-10—Great Bend quad
9-12—Great Bend JV
9-14—Great Bend Invitational
9-16—at Garden City JV
9-17—at Dodge City
9-19—at Pratt JV
9-24—at McPherson; at Lyons JV
9-26—at Salina South
9-28—at Garden City
10-3—at Salina Central JV
10-5—at Hays JV
10-7—at WAC, Great Bend
10-12—at 5A regional
10-18/19—at 5A state
