Class 5A

For the second year in a row, the Andover Trojans were victorious, winning the Class 5A state championship. 

After returning nearly everyone from last year and having no seniors on the roster,  the young but championship-experienced Trojans competed against themselves every day to fill the remaining spots. 

“I think it is always hard to repeat since you have a target on your back from every other team. I also feel there is more pressure on the players due to the previous year’s success,” Andover coach Steve Alexander said. 

Andover’s doubles teams finished third and fifth, while the Trojans were fourth and 11th in singles.

Carroll junior Brynn Steven won 5A singles, beating Topeka Seaman senior Lauren Sweeney 4-6, 6-4, 6-0. Stevens had previously finished second in 2021 and fourth in 2020. 

“When Brynn won the final match, I had several feelings all at the same time. I was obviously very happy about the win, but I was also very relieved for Brynn,” Bishop Carroll coach Darren Huslig said. “I knew she had the target on her back this year after finishing fourth as a freshman and then finishing second last year. She was the favorite coming into the season.” 

Andover Central senior Maya Chon and sophomore Bryer Geoffroy beat teammates senior Grace Schaefer and senior McKinnley Evans to win the doubles title 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Chon and Geoffrey finished second in 2021. 

“All four girls have worked hard all season and have helped make each other better,” Andover Central coach Janet Glaser said. “I will say that if there had been any way that we could have that final match end in a tie, I would have chosen that. It was agonizing watching our two doubles teams – both of which are so deserving, both of which want it so much.” 

Class 3-2-1A 

Collegiate continues to flex its dominance as the Spartans have now won 14 straight state girls titles. 

The Spartans’ top three finishers went 11-1 during state, with the one loss being to a teammate. 

“We never talk about winning state, only striving to always play our best,” Collegiate coach Dave Hawley said. 

Collegiate finished first place with a total of 55 points, 30 points ahead of second-place Marysville. 

Collegiate senior Emma Mantovani beat Katherine Weiss from Salina Sacred Heart. 

Mantovani is a three-time state champ and one time runner-up. 

“I was surprised at how much deeper 3-2-1A was this year versus last (year),” Hawley said. “Our Emma Mantovani barely broke a sweat last year. This year, three tough matches. So I’m glad it looks dominant but it is not as it totally looks.”

Collegiate’s sophomore Laney Conrad and sophomore Julia Herman beat senior Kinsey Nichols and senior Tatum Bhargava for first place. 

“Our kids approached state with the mindset of playing aggressive tennis, playing to win, not avoid losing,” Hawley said. 

Nichols and Bhargarva beat Conrad and Herman for the regional championship.