The Saint Thomas Aquinas Girl’s Tennis team won the Eastern Kansas League Regional Tournament yesterday.  They were partially led by outstanding play of seniors including Elizabeth Close, Lujan Brouwer de Koning and Bridget Porter.

Liz and her doubles partner, freshman Natalie Looney, won the doubles title which, in an odd turn of events, did not even include the defending state champion doubles team of Lujan and junior Nicole Jara.  In a surprising move Co-coaches Amy Person and David Shriver split these two in an experiment to see how they would do alone.  Something worked because Jara went on to win the singles title in a 6-0, 6-2 blowout.  Following close behind, Lujan took fourth place.  Porter and her partner, junior Katie Krim, took third.

I know that athletes sometimes get a bad rap when it comes to academics, but these girls are pretty great all around.  I have the privilege of knowing all three seniors mentioned above and having them in classes.  They are nice, pretty and in Honors classes.  They even have Porter, the Homecoming Queen.   Their coaches are pretty impressive too.  Knowing how Person challenged her Honors American History class, I can only imagine how good of a coach she would be.  And Shriver’s honors Economy class is a challenge too.

The point is these people are real.  This team goes beyond the football stud walking down the hall excitement.  I am really glad to see them in the hall each day.  I have known Lujan since grade school, and I met Liz and Bridget here.  I do not know if it is the student body’s unfortunate lack of interest in tennis, but I think that almost makes them stronger.  I do not think that there are many other groups of girls who so quickly could create doubles teams and break off from them and succeed like they do.  Porter and Krim had only played four matches together before this one and they were able to take third place.  

I admit, I do not go to their games, but I know these girls and I follow the team.   I wish them all the luck in their coming state play.