The girls tennis team traveled to Wichita to compete at the Kansas 5A Tennis State Championships Friday, Oct. 14 and Saturday, Oct. 15. The team finished 14th out of 16 teams. 

In singles, Heidi Baillos finished with a record of 2-2 and Bri Coup finished with a record of 1-2. In doubles, Sofia Steinmetz and Emily Stove finished with a record of 0-2 and Avery Blubaugh and Skylar Szoke finished with a 2-2 record. 

The team was put at a disadvantage when it came to seeding for the doubles teams, according to head coach Steven Bock. 

“Our region was unjustly seeded in doubles,” Bock said. “When that happened, I knew it would be an uphill climb for our teams to earn a medal. Still, we did have a doubles team almost do it.” 

Freshman Heidi Baillos was disappointed with the outcome, but was still proud of the effort her team put in at the tournament. 

“I think I personally could have done better, but the team worked so hard and everyone tried their best so I’m happy with [the results],” Baillos said. 

This sentiment is shared by Bock. 

“For the most part, everyone played to their capabilities. They all played their best,” Bock said. 

Junior Emily Stove had hoped for better results, but was happy that the team even made it to state. 

“It felt really good knowing that all of our hard work paid off to make it to State,” Stove said. “It was just really exciting to go and represent Mill Valley.” 

After winning regionals and punching their ticket to state on Saturday, Oct. 8, the team became the first in Mill Valley history to win a regional title. The results at State were not what the team was hoping for, but Bock still couldn’t be prouder of his team. 

“Despite our showing at State, we still had the best season that a Mill Valley Girls’ Tennis team has had,” Bock said. “We won a ton of matches and captured our program’s first regional title. Our goal is always to have fun. One day doesn’t make a season and it was a wonderful ride.”