Despite losing 2021 Western Athletic Conference Girls Player of the Year in Sage Riggs, the Garden City High School tennis team will again be the odds-on favorite to repeat as WAC champions.
That’s the general consensus of the voting coaches in the conference as the 2022 season has already begun with the Lady Buffs opening on Aug. 20 at the tough Wichita-Collegiate Invitational.
Riggs won 121 singles and doubles matches in her four-year career and was either a singles or doubles champion all four seasons with Garden City and teamed with Sydney Nanninga to earn a 12th-place medal at the 2021 Class 6A state tennis championship.
Nanninga leads a strong contingent of veterans as all the remaining five varsity players are back for third-year coach Logan Bevis.
In 2021, the Lady Buffs swept both Nos. 1 and 2 singles and doubles divisions at the WAC championship to dominate, but with a somewhat revised lineup, the Lady Buffs will be looking to build through the season in hopes of claiming their seventh straight conference crown.
This year’s WAC Championship will be played in Hays on Oct. 3. Based upon the preseason coach’s poll, Garden City is the favorite to retain its WAC team title while the rest of the teams are balanced enough to see a tight race for second, third, fourth and fifth.
DODGE CITY
Mascot: Lady Red Demons
Class: 6A
Coach: David Snodgrass (9th season)
2021 Summary: Finished second in the WAC; Finished fourth at Class 6A regionals.
Top returners: America Gamaz, No. 1 WAC doubles runner-up and No. 1 doubles 6A regional runner-up.
Coach’s Comments: Team finished second in the WAC, fourth in the regionals.
GARDEN CITY
Mascot: Lady Buffaloes
Class: 6A
Coach: Logan Bevis (3rd season)
2021 Summary: Won 6th consecutive WAC team championship; Won 6A regional championship and qualified all six team members for 6A state tournament.
Top Returners: Brooke Ptacek, Sr., Singles (26-13, 2021), No. 1 singles WAC champion; Sydney Nanninga, Sr., Singles (35-8 in 2021 as doubles partner with Sage Riggs); Alivia Palmer, Sr., (25-8 as singles player in 2021); Chloe Powell, Sr. and Payton Tull, Jr. (25-12 as doubles team in 2021).
Top Newcomers: Sophomore Courtney Kneeland and freshman Quincy Nanninga.
Coach’s Comments: “This is one of the most experienced, upperclassmen heavy teams I’ve coached. We have a lot of varsity experience and they played at the state tournament a year ago. Early on, we will be trying to figure out the best lineups for the team and individual success. There are a lot of opportunities with this team. The biggest challenge for a few of the girls will be stepping into new roles, whether it be singles or doubles, or making the leap from No. 2’s to No. 1’s. Our goals remain the same – we want to win WAC again, qualify for state and be playing on the final day at state.”
GREAT BEND
Mascot: Lady Panthers
Class: 5A
Coach: Zachary Bartel (4th season, head coach; 22nd overall)
2021 in Review: Young team that finished fifth in WAC, but Kaylin Wahlmeier showed promise as second team all-WAC and finished with an 18-15 season record.
Top Returners: Kaylin Wahlmeier, Jr., 18-15 record, 2nd team all-WAC (runner-up); Samantha Mayers and Taylor Lashley, Jrs., doubles team with 3-27 record.
Top Newcomers: Lakyn Smith, Sr., who missed last season but played in 2020.
Coach’s Comments: “Our team should be improved and our goal is to push for a top 3 finish at WAC.”
HAYS
Mascot: Lady Indians
Class: 5A
Coach: Kayla Brown (4th season)
2021 in Review: The Lady Indians tied for third with Liberal in the WAC Championship. Returning seniors Danica Scheve and Kayler Wellbrock were 7-7 as juniors at No. 1 doubles while another pair of now seniors Morgen Berry and Ava Neil were 13-6 at No. 2 doubles.
Other Top Returners: Brittnee Leiker, Sr., 4-15; Katrina Delimont, Sr., 4-5. Other returners are seniors Nia Kaiser and Rylie Fairbank.
Top Newcomers: Seniors Jalynn Weilert and Ashlynn Zimmer; Sophomores Melissa Boland, Savannah Clingan, Delia Dixon, Allison Goertzen, Ani McClure, Emersyn Sander, Jadyn Younger and Brynn Zweifel.
Coach’s Comments: We have 20 returners and 13 new members to the team. Many of my seniors saw a fair amount of varsity time during their junior season. This will allow for good competition between the players as they continue to improve throughout the season and prepare for the league and regional meets. With the number of juniors and seniors, I am excited for their leadership skills and confidence to develop over the season. The program has gained popularity within Hays High and the Hays community and I’m excited to see where we go.”
LIBERAL
Mascot: Lady Reds
Class: 6A
Coach: Sergio Borjas (1st season)
2021 in Review: Lady Reds tied for third in WAC with Hays.
Top Returners: Katie Classen, No. 1 singles; Lanes Harp and Arely Molina, No. 1 doubles.
Coach’s Comments: “We want to create a high level of competition among the WAC and to eventually compete for a WAC title.”
