Not a bad start for the Hillsboro girls' tennis team.
After winning their own eight-team invitational on Tuesday, the Trojans finished first among five teams in a round-robin format at Sterling on Thursday.
"We've had a good week," said coach Lynn Wiebe. "We're playing some good tennis for the beginning of the season."
Placing first or second in all four divisions at Sterling, the Trojans took the team victory with 14 points. Runner-up Hutchinson Trinity scored 11.
Two-time state-qualifiers Lora Andrews and Amanda Faber led the Trojan charge with a 4-0 record and first-place in No. 1 doubles.
Hillsboro's other win came in No. 2 singles, where Lauren Just swept all four of her matches, losing only three games in her four matches.
Placing second for HHS was Audrey Weinbrenner in No. 1 singles and Chelsey Harmon and Greta Wiebe in No. 2 doubles. Both entries had 3-1 records.
"I was pleased that everyone contributed significantly to the team finish, as well as their successful individual finishes," Coach Wiebe said.
"The girls are encouraged, but know the competition will continue to get tougher as we go along," Wiebe said. "They are committed to working hard to make good things happen."
Hillsboro Invitational-The Trojans started the season with a "Gold" medal performance at their home invitational Aug. 29.
The Hillsboro Gold (varsity) team won the eight-team tournament with 44 points-an eight-point edge over Hesston, Quivera Heights and Wichita Collegiate with 36 each.
The Hillsboro Red (junior varsity) team placed fifth with 21 points.
"It was a good day," coach Lynn Wiebe said. "Everyone on both the Red and Gold teams contributed points to the team totals."
Hillsboro's best finish of the day went to Gold's Amanda Faber (3-0), who won No. 1 singles by defeating Morgan Lovett of Collegiate 8-3 in the finals. The junior lost only three games the entire afternoon.
"Amanda did a very nice job of maintaining her focus," Wiebe said.
Lora Andrews and Audrey Weinbrenner (2-1), playing together for the first time, finished second in No. 1 doubles.
"Against Hesston in the finals, we lacked the precision we needed," Wiebe said. "However, Hesston played well and did a good job of putting a lot of pressure on us."
In No. 2 doubles, Chelsey Harmon and Greta Wiebe (2-1) finished second to Peggy Chang and Lauren Davis of Collegiate.
"Chelsey and Greta seemed to complement each other nicely and worked together well," said the Trojan coach.
In No. 2 singles, Lauren Just (2-1) took third.
"Lauren is a hard worker-she hustled well and worked hard at moving the ball around," Wiebe said.
For Hillsboro Red, Tessa Simpson (2-1) took third in No. 1 singles and Maria Loewen (1-2) was seventh in No. 2 singles.
"Tessa did a nice job for us as a second entry in No. 1 singles," Wiebe said. "She worked hard at keeping her focus and playing an upbeat game.
"Maria's success improved as the day went along," she added.
"She worked hard at making improvements and won convincingly in her final round."
In doubles, Julia Loewen and Amber Loewen (2-1) placed fifth in the No. 1 flight and Anna Woelk and Kelsey Bartel (1-2) placed fourth in No. 2.
"Both Julia and Amber are aggressive players and are always looking to attack," Wiebe said.
The Trojan coach said she was generally pleased with what she saw from both of her teams in their first tournament.
"We also saw some places we can improve," she added. "We will continue to work with our lineup, and we were able to identify areas of strategy that we need to spend more time on."
Coming-The Trojans are scheduled to return to action Thursday at the Smoky Valley Invitational in Lindsborg. Matches begin at 3 p.m.
On Saturday, Hillsboro will compete at the Hesston Invitational with a 9 a.m. start.
