The Manhattan High girl’s tennis team went to Washburn Rural last Tuesday, playing against Seaman, Derby, Washburn Rural, Emporia and Maize. There were no team scores for this meet; however individual Manhattan players did place highly.

In one singles, sophomore Jillian Harkin placed first overall, with a score of 3-0. Senior Kayla Lei, also in one singles, placed second overall, with a score of 2-1. In two singles, senior Cooper Lohman placed second overall, with a score of 2-1. 

On to doubles, one doubles sophomore Maura Weins and junior Hannah Loub placed third overall with a score of 2-1. For two doubles, junior Ava Bahr and sophomore Jessica Zhang placed third overall with a score of 2-1.

Harkin and Lei played against each other in the third set, with Harkin winning, the score ending with 6-1, 6-0. It comes as no surprise to Lei, as she and Harkin have played against each other multiple times last year, and she enjoys playing against Harkin because it gives her practice for state.

“Even though I always lose, really badly, as the score shows, I actually really enjoyed playing against her,” Lei said, “It gives me really good practice, against, arguably, one of the best players that will be like at our state competition.”

The meet showed what the team was good at, and what they still needed to work on. It also helped them start getting into a mindset for the postseason.

“I think it definitely showed  us kind of what our team needs to work on, but also, well, what we’re good at,” Lei said, “It was kind of helping us get in that mindset for the postseason.”