CHS Girls Tennis Update: A Busy September Stretch

The Colby High School girl’s tennis team has packed seven meets into 11 days since hosting the Colby Invitational at the beginning of September. Both the varsity and junior varsity squads have handled challenging weather, tough competition and a demanding schedule while continuing to improve.

At the Goodland Varsity Tournament on Sept. 12, the Eagles battled bitter cold and strong winds. Despite the miserable conditions, the girls stayed focused and worked hard to keep their bodies ready to compete. Colby’s lineup included Katelyn Diederich and Zenni Mead in singles, along with Heidi Gray and Bristol Niblock at No. 1 doubles. Breckenridge Kinderknecht and Gala White* led the way by winning the No. 2 doubles championship.

Colby sent two full teams and an additional doubles entry to the Garden City JV Tournament on Sept. 14. Colby Black finished third among 16 teams. Atley Shaw and Macy Schroeder each placed fourth in singles, while Josalyn Boyson and Zoey Gines finished third at No. 1 doubles. Shaylee Bell and Kylee Haug added a fifth-place finish at No. 2 doubles.

For Colby Orange, Annica Prochazka and Cam Rhymer each placed 12th in singles. Ella Fikan and Valentina Straub finished sixth at No. 1 doubles, while Bailey Wolf and Abigail Jamison placed 14th at No. 2 doubles. Journey Carney and Braelynn McKee also competed, placing 15th in No. 1 doubles.

The varsity Eagles returned to action at Ulysses on Sept. 17. Diederich placed fourth at No. 1 singles, and Mead finished sixth at No. 2 singles. Gray and Niblock earned third at No. 1 doubles, while White and Kinderknecht recorded a strong runner-up finish at No. 2 doubles.

At the WaKeeney JV Tournament on Sept. 19, Journey Carney placed fourth at No. 1 singles and Abigail Jamison finished fourth at No. 2 singles. Valentina Straub and Annica Prochazka took third at No. 1 doubles, while Bailey Wolf and Ella Fikan placed fifth at No. 2 doubles.

Two days later, Colby’s JV team finished second in the five-team Phillipsburg round robin with 21 points, trailing only host Phillipsburg. Kylee Haug captured the No. 2 singles championship, and Atley Shaw and Macy Schroeder placed second at No. 1 doubles. Joselyn Boyson and Braelynn McKee finished third at No. 2 doubles, while Zoey Gines placed fifth at No. 1 singles.

The varsity team competed at Scott City that same day. With medals awarded only to the top four finishers, White and Kinderknecht reached the podium by placing third at No. 2 doubles. Diederich and Mead represented Colby in singles, while Gray and Niblock competed at No. 1 doubles.

The stretch concluded Sept. 22 with the Tribune JV Tournament, played in Scott City. Colby placed third as a team and produced three top-four finishes. Atley Shaw and Kylee Haug won the No. 2 doubles championship, while Macy Schroeder and Joselyn Boyson earned runner-up honors at No. 1 doubles. Valentina Straub placed fourth at No. 2 singles, and Shaylee Bell finished sixth at No. 1 singles.

It has been a full and productive stretch for the Eagles, highlighted by tournament championships, several podium finishes and valuable match experience throughout the lineup. The players have continued to compete hard, adjust to different opponents and conditions, and represent Colby well each time they take the court.

Next, the Eagles will be taking two teams to the Garden City Varsity tournament this Saturday.

* Gala White is the daughter of the Owners of The Sunflower Standard