CLAY CENTER, Kan. — Navigating lineup changes and tough competition, the Beloit Trojans high school girls tennis team earned a second-place individual finish and valuable experience at the Clay Center Quad on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Playing without #1 singles regular Samantha Thompson due to illness, the Trojans had to reshuffle their lineup. Kendra Rowh stepped up into the #1 singles slot. After battling early nerves, Rowh found her rhythm and competed fiercely, taking Clay Center’s Anderson Craig to the wire before falling in a narrow 6-4 decision in her final match. Rowh also faced tough matchups against Alma-Wabunsee’s Talen Orton (6-0) and Lyons’ Isabel Gonzales (6-1).
The highlight of the day for Beloit came at #2 singles, where Katelyn Pearson put together a standout performance. Pearson went 2-1 on the day to earn a 2nd-place overall finish. She opened her tournament with a dominant 6-1 victory over Keira Webb of Lyons, followed by a hard-fought 6-2 win over Alma-Wabunsee’s Chloe Holte. Pearson’s only setback came against host Clay Center’s Chloe Holte in a competitive 6-4 match.
At #1 doubles, Addison Thompson and Brittyn Hilt suffered a heartbreaking opening-round loss to Lyons (Madiline Tobisch and Jazmin Contreras), dropping a tight tiebreaker 7-6 (4). The pair struggled to regain momentum in their remaining matches, falling to Alma-Wabunsee’s Ava Hurla and Leah Schrader (6-0) and Clay Center’s Avery Kinderknecht and Taylor Green (6-0).
The #2 doubles tandem of Brylee Herrman and Daytona McMillan showed continuous fight despite a tough draw. They fell in straight sets to Lyons (6-0), Alma-Wabunsee (6-0), and Clay Center (6-1), but maintained their competitive effort throughout each set.
Overall, host Alma-Wabunsee claimed the team title with 22 points, followed closely by Clay Center (20) and Lyons (12), while Beloit finished fourth with 4 points.
The Trojans look to build on the lessons learned from Clay Center when they return to action on Tuesday at Great Bend.
Clay Center Quad Team Standings
- 1st Place: Alma-Wabunsee – 22 pts
- 2nd Place: Clay Center – 20 pts
- 3rd Place: Lyons – 12 pts
- 4th Place: Beloit – 4 pts
Beloit Trojan Individual Match Results
- #1 Singles: Kendra Rowh (0-3)
- vs. Isabel Gonzales (Lyons): L, 6-1
- vs. Talen Orton (Alma-Wabunsee): L, 6-0
- vs. Anderson Craig (Clay Center): L, 6-4
- #2 Singles: Katelyn Pearson (2-1, 2nd Place)
- vs. Keira Webb (Lyons): W, 6-1
- vs. Leityn Bolinder (Alma-Wabunsee): W, 6-2
- vs. Chloe Holte (Clay Center): L, 6-4
- #1 Doubles: Addison Thompson & Brittyn Hilt (0-3)
- vs. Tobisch / Contreras (Lyons): L, 7-6 (4)
- vs. Hurla / Schrader (Alma-Wabunsee): L, 6-0
- vs. Kinderknecht / Green (Clay Center): L, 6-0
- #2 Doubles: Brylee Herrman & Daytona McMillan (0-3)
- vs. Catlin / Green (Lyons/Clay Center): L, 6-0
- vs. Denton / Eubanks (Alma-Wabunsee): L, 6-0
- vs. Pfizenmaier / Larson (Clay Center): L, 6-1
