Varsity girls tennis won back-to-back matches last week, playing against Blue Valley West, Salina Central, Olathe West, Topeka Seaman, Topeka West, Junction City and Leavenworth in the Topeka West Invitational.

Freshman Jill Harkin and junior Kayla Lei both played one singles match, placing first (3-0) in their respective matches. Senior Kate McGee with doubles partner freshman Maura Wiens placed fourth (1-2). 

Seniors Joanna Park and Kira Schartz came back as doubles partners, placing third (2-1).

“I didn’t really know what to expect going in,” Schartz said. “I was kind of expecting the worst when it comes to my performance. However, I think I did pretty good overall — it felt natural.”

Schartz was out from Tennis because of an ACL injury during last year’s soccer season.

Varsity placed first again for the fifth time in a row, keeping up the season’s success. 

“Schartz and Park returned to action for the first time this year,” head coach Tony Ingram said. “I was really happy and proud to see Kira and Joanna back on the courts together.”

Their happiness was reflected in their success as well as the two’s close relationship with each other through the sport.

“[Park and Schartz] both have been such an important part of the success that our MHS tennis program has had the last four years,” Ingram said. “They have played doubles together since seventh grade and to have them both together competing again — when we weren’t sure it was going to happen — makes me very happy to see.”