Sabetha had battled through the heat of the early season, gained skills and experience along the way, and with the waning weeks of the tennis season, the athletes were ready for the next step. That next rung on the ladder was the Regional playoffs, which was Friday, Oct. 7, when they traveled to Marysville. Competition was fierce and the Lady Jays struggled to find their groove.

In singles action, seniors GracieAnn Glaspie and Sam Arnold represented the Bluejays, and with a one and done bracket for the opening round, they had to bring their A-game.

Arnold faced a Hillsboro challenger in opening round action, and this contest turned into a marathon with the first match ending in a 6-6 stalemate. She battled back in the tiebreaker but lost, 7-9. Trying to rebound from two long sets took its toll, and Arnold fell 1-6 to end her run.

Glaspie faced a familiar Marysville player in her opening contest, struggled in the first set and lost, 3-6. She would have to win the second set to have a chance for a tiebreaker, but try as she might, she dropped the second set, 0-6.

The doubles teams have competed well during the season and as the cream rises to the top, they had some formidable competition ahead of them.

Senior Kate Beyer and sophomore Audrey Tramp have shared the court for the Lady Jays’ doubles team many times and paired up again for this challenge. They faced off with a Hillsboro duo in their first match and this one would be decided in an extra set. Beyer and Tramp lost the first set 2-6, but battled back in the second set to pick up the win, 6-1. With the tie, the teams were pitted against each other again, with the Jays taking a 10-3 win.

The pair would lose 1-6 and 0-6 to a Smoky Valley opponent and were sent to a bracket battle for fifth and sixth place. It was close, but Beyer and Tramp fell in straight sets, 4-6 and 2-6, which sealed their fate and ended their season.

Sophomores Karsyn Meyer and McKenna Gatz also fulfilled the role in the doubles division. They hit a road block in their first match to a Marysville team and lost, 2-6 and 2-6.

“The outcome was not what we wanted or expected, but everyone played really well and I am looking forward to seeing the girls in action next year. We would like to thank the seniors for four great years and we wish them all the best,” said Head Coach Alicia Deters and Assistant Coach Leigha Papa.