Lady Eagles Tennis Opens Season with Growth in Phillipsburg

The Colby High School Lady Eagles tennis team took the courts for the first time this fall on September 2, opening their 2025 season at a six-team meet hosted in Phillipsburg.

For Colby, this year marks a rebuilding season after graduating several varsity regulars from last year’s lineup. Head Coach Wendy Weishaar and players alike knew the opener would be a test against seasoned squads such as Phillipsburg, Osborne, and Victoria. Despite finishing tied for fifth in the overall team standings, the Lady Eagles showed resilience and gained valuable match experience that will pay dividends as the season progresses.

In No. 1 singles, Katelyn Diederich stepped into a tough assignment against top-line talent. Diederich fought hard in pool play and secured a win over Anna-Marie Marsell of Victoria before falling in her placement match to Beloit’s Brandy Porter. Diederich’s steady effort earned Colby two team points and set a competitive tone for the Eagles.

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Heidi Gray carried the load at No. 2 singles. Gray battled through pool play to reach the third-place match, where she fell to Beloit’s Zelma Krone but still collected points for Colby. Her performance showed growth and composure against experienced opponents.

Doubles teams also saw their share of challenges but gained crucial chemistry in the early test. The No. 1 duo of Yatzee Barraza and Anjali Balbuena faced difficult draws against Osborne and Phillipsburg, eventually landing in the fifth-place match. Though they finished sixth, the pairing showed flashes of aggressive net play that should sharpen with more matches together.

At No. 2 doubles, Kinslie Blake and Bella Castaneda found their footing and made strides throughout the day. They pushed Beloit in the third-place contest before dropping a narrow 8-5 decision, earning Colby a pair of points and demonstrating the kind of improvement coaches are eager to see.

Phillipsburg captured the team championship with 32 points, followed by Victoria (23) and Osborne (21). Colby’s young squad collected eight points, tying Beloit for fifth.

While the standings may not reflect it, the Lady Eagles left Phillipsburg with a sense of optimism. With new players adjusting to varsity roles and a season full of meets still ahead, the opener was more about building confidence than chasing trophies.

The Lady Eagles will return to the courts later this week, looking to build on their first outing and continue developing into a competitive unit. With time and experience, Colby’s tennis future looks bright.