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The weather was warm on Monday, June 3, but the George Rogers Clark High School Lady Cards’ tennis team came ready to play at the KHSAA State Girls’s Team Tennis State Tournament on Monday. 

At the Wilson Evans Tennis Complex, located on the campus of Berea College, the Lady Cards competed and finished in the highly respectable Elite Eight after recently winning their third consecutive 10th Region Championship. 

“It’s an extremely special team coming out of Region 10,” said Head Coach Seth Heinss. “Our girls have all kinds of talent, and we’re able to spread the girls out [in] singles [and] doubles [from] one through seven. We’re extremely strong.” 

In the girls’ team tennis tournament, five matchups—featuring multiple singles and doubles matches—take place. 

To move on and advance, the first team to win three matchups – thereby making a majority – moves on. 

Once three matchups are won by an individual team, any remaining games are stopped. 

First up, in a Sweet 16 battle, the Lady Cards took on sixth Region Champion Bullitt East. 

Cassi Lowe, Madelyn Settles, and Sydney Ely competed in singles for GRC. 

For doubles, the duos of Ella Grace Lowe, Lily Roberts, and Lauren Anderson, and Maddie Redmon took to the court. 

By a score of 3-0, the Lady Cards advanced. 

Next, they took on a strong South Warren High School team from Bowling Green. 

Despite a strong effort from GRC, South Warren – who would fall in the Final Four to eventual state champion Sacred Heart – pulled away for a 3-0 win. 

Afterward, coaches, including Assistant Coach Rebecca Prater, spoke with the athletes.

“This is amazing,” she said. “Thank you for…being willing to play wherever we put you. You all played well. You did great!” 

“They fought hard. I saw one of them dive and several others…sweating hard on the court,” Heniss said. “I’m very pleased with how my seniors played. A few of my seniors didn’t even get to finish their matches because they were fighting so hard.” 

Speaking of the future, Heinss continues to be optimistic. 

“Come watch us next year,” he said. “It’s [going to] be awesome!”