McPherson High School’s girls tennis team traveled to the State Tournament in Winfield, KS, after placing first at the Buhler Regional just a week earlier. On October 14-15th, Class 4A State Tournament invited participants from all around the state of Kansas to compete in a two day tournament to battle for the championship.

The lady pups were one of few teams in the state to qualify all six of the varsity girls to play at State. To qualify you were had to place in the top 6 at your Regional.

McPherson’s seniors Ellea Ediger and Rachel Ivers came into the State Tournament ready to win the Title after losing to Wichita Collegiate’s doubles team just last year. The two girls were ready and motivated to work hard for what was taken from them the previous year.

“As a senior and knowing it was our last year to get the title there was added pressure but I tried to turn it into motivation,” said Ediger. “I know when I feel pressured because I play a lot more tense, so I tried to focus more on playing the best tennis and the results would follow.”

These two girls knew how it felt to be in a State Tournament. When Ediger was just a freshman she placed second in singles as a freshman, fifth as a sophomore, and found the switch to doubles last year to get runner-up. Ivers found her third medal this year after placing fifth in doubles with a graduated teammate and second last year.

“It’s indescribable. I don’t think we couldn’t have asked for a better ending. We got that 1 st place finish we have been working for and we have created friendships within this team that are irreplaceable. I am proud to be a part of such an amazing team,” said Ivers.

Senior Heidi Myers and freshman Taylor Bruce, faced an early defeat that put them on the back side but fought their way through to place ninth.

On the singles side of the tournament, junior Maisie Edmonson proved herself by placing seventh after facing defending state champion Brooklyn Hunter from Topeka Hayden early in the tournament. Freshman Rachel Carlson also made it to day two, medaling at twelfth place.

Just like at League, the girls were fighting power-house Wichita Collegiate for the team title. Motivated to get another banner, the girls worked hard for what was theirs. Just by three points did McPherson get beat out by Collegiate but are still proud of the season.