Hoisington Cardinal girls tennis

HOISINGTON — Reese Merlau (11-15) finished fourth at No. 1 singles in the Central Kansas League and Claire Crutcher (14-14) placed runner-up in the at CKL No. 2 singles.  Merlau and Crutcher will compete in singles.

At regionals, Merlau downed Central Plains' Charlee Schlessiger 6-0, 6-0 and lost 6-4, 6-2 to Central Plains' Lauren Oeser and 6-2, 7-5 to Colby's Allison Zimmerman to miss a 3-1A state tennis berth. Goodland's Addison Owens downed Crutcher 6-7, 7-5 (10-6) at regionals.

"With Claire Crutcher and Reese Merlau's experience and leadership, they'll lead our team with great success," said Hoisington coach Taylor Smith. "They've gained experience competing against high-level opponents that gives them the strength they need to find success. Gracie Bonhman-Debolt was out with an injury or else or she would've played varsity. She showed leadership and support last year."

Gracie Bonham-DeBolt, Miette Kaiser, Callie Loesch and Andrea Gonzalez will team together to form two doubles tandems.

"Along with Gracie, we're lucky to have two freshmen and a sophomore on the varsity squad," Smith said. "Freshmen Callie Loesch and Andrea Gonzalez enjoyed great success in middle school. Miette Kaiser made great strides and will play on the varsity squad."

The Cardinals placed fifth in the Central Kansas League last year.

"Our fifth-place finish was the highest in several years. We have a goal of placing fourth or higher at CKL since it's a tough tennis league," Smith said. "Our obvious goal would be to secure a spot at the state tournament. We're starting with more intensity, so we have a great shot at achieving that."

CARDINAL ROSTER

SENIORS—Claire Crutcher (S 14-14, CKL NO. 2 4TH; D 4-5) Reese Merlau (S 11-15; CKL NO. 1 4TH; D 4-5; CKL 7TH), Bailey George, Gracie Bonham-DeBolt

JUNIORS—Heather Ward

SOPHOMORES—Jaylin Kolas, Kaelyn Axman, Mietta Kaiser, Kassie Linsner, Annabelle Gonzales, Decelia Bray

NINTH-GRADERS—Callie Loesch, Aubree Martin, Jillian Axman, Andrea Gonzalez, Brennley Reif 

GIRLS TENNIS

9-3—Hoisington JV

9-5—at Larned; at Phillipsburg JV

9-10—Hoisington

9-12—at WaKeeney JV

9-14—at Great Bend

9-17—Hoisington JV

9-19—at Ellsworth

9-21—Hoisington JV

9-24—at Claflin; at Lyons JV

9-26—at Lindsborg

9-28—at WaKeeney; at Pratt JV

10-1—at Ellsworth; at Tribune JV  

10-3—at Scott City JV

10-5—at Central Kansas League, Pratt

10-11/12—at 3-1A regional

10-18/19—at 3-1A state, Topeka