RUSSELL — The Central Plains High School girls’ tennis team claimed a Class 3-1A regional title on Saturday evening.
The Lady Oilers qualified three of its four entries for a state tournament, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 13, at Hutchinson. The tournament slated to start at 11 a.m.
“We went in feeling like we had a good chance to qualify three entries,” Central Plains head coach Gary Bittner said, “so we met our goal in that respect. We also wanted to finish as high in the standings as we could, so I guess we pretty much made that goal as well.”
Central Plains No. 1 doubles team Katie Hipp and Janae Hekele were regional champions, and will be heading into the state tournament with a 28-1 record this season.
The two seniors have qualified for the state tournament three times in their high school careers, finishing third in 2011.
Lady Oilers No. 2 doubles team Aubrey Kempke and Karli Beck (25-4) finished third in Russell to seize a trip to Hutchinson.
Sophomore singles player Breanna Schartz (20-10) finished fourth to cpature her second straight trip to the state competition.

Lady Eagles to send
two entries to state tourney
The defending 3-1A state champion Ellinwood girls’ tennis team finished runner-up at a regional in Russell on Saturday evening.
The Lady Eagles qualified one singles entry and one doubles team for the state tournament at Hutchinson.
“I thought it went pretty well for us,” Ellinwood head coach Lyle Stickney said. “With that regional, that’s probably how it should have turned out.”
No. 1 singles player Oma Thomas finished third, and No. 1 doubles team Rachel Doll and Danae Patten captured second.

Hoisington’s Curtis
qualifies for state tourney
Deiah Curtis finished fifth at a regional in Russell to lead Hoisington’s girls’ tennis team.
Curtis went to the state tournament last year as a sophomore paired with Shannon Lacey as a doubles team.

Larned’s Johnson captures fourth
Jessie Johnson led Larned in a 4A regional tournament in Pratt on Sunday.
Johnson finished fourth, falling to Jaya Mantovani of Wichita Collegiate in the third-place match, 5-7, 6-3 and 6-2.
The tournament, which started on Friday, got postponed to Sunday due to inclement weather.
The fourth-place finish qualifies Johnson for a 4A state tournament, which will be held on Friday and Saturday in Emporia.

                                                     — Kevin Price