Lafayette Tennis Team Earns Third at State

Lafayette High School head tennis coach Donna Stauffer and team members represented the Wildwood-based Lancers at the 37th Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Girls Tennis Championships for the first time in the school's history last Thursday through Saturday. Both team and individual state tournament games were played in Springfield, MO, at the Cooper Tennis Complex.

placed third overall in Missouri's 2011 girls' varsity high school tennis teams.

"The quality of tennis was sensational, especially given the wind and the freezing temperature," said Stauffer.

This year's Lancer tennis team did remarkably well all the way around. (See previously published article:  )

Stauffer said on Thursday, team members played one of the longest and most memorable matches she has ever seen. "We began the match at 9 a.m. outside with wind chill in the 20s — and it was windy!"

Recap of Thursday's Team Results

She said they completed the first match at 2 p.m. with Rock Bridge High, who are last year's champions and the second place team from the previous year. "We lost 5 matches to 4, and the last match went as far as it could go:  a third set."

Lafayette tennis players Chelsea Weise, Abby Carpenter and Julia Weise won in singles. Chelsea and Julia also won their doubles. Abby Carpenter and Kayla Neskar lost the last match to a team that Stauffer said eventually came in third place in the individual competition. "Their entire team was strong, and we played outstanding tennis. The other coach said over and over that the match could have gone either way, and he was right," she said.

Rock Bridge beat Parkway Central in the finals, 5 courts to 1. "We played the third place match at 3:30 and beat Park Hill, 5 courts to 2," Stauffer said.

Chelsea Weise, Abby Carpenter, Julia Vranas and Kayla Neskar won in singles. Then Abby Carpenter and Kayla Neskar secured the victory with a quick win in doubles. Stauffer indicated Vranas and Weise were within three games of winning their doubles match.

"We finished close to 6 p.m. — an incredible amount of tennis in one day," said Stauffer. "All players played four matches that day in ridiculously cold weather. The other class (Class 1) got to play inside. Next year I hope it's our turn."

She said Thursday's matches will remain forever in her memory because they were so well played. "We set the standard for good sportsmanship and for playing together as a team. We had a great time and look forward to displaying the medals and the trophy we won at our tennis banquet." 

Recap of Individual Results

Haleigh Chobanian played an explosive first match, winning 6-0, 6-0 against Alexis Ferrar of Pattonville. Her next match was against Suzanne Barth, a player who won state in doubles as a freshman, placed second in singles her sophomore year, and placed sixth in singles last year, according to Stauffer. She also had beaten Chobanian the day before 6-4, 7-6 when Lafayette played Park Hill.

Stauffer said Chobanian was ready to avenge the prior day's loss and she did, beating Barth 6-4, 6-3. That win placed Chobanian in the semifinals, which were the top four girls in the single's competition.

On Saturday, Stauffer said Chobanian played a very tough player from Kansas City and lost in the semifinal match. She then played Cam Newton of Ladue, but lost after a well fought match.

"Haleigh came in fourth place in the individual competition, and we are so proud of her," said Stauffer.

"To put it in perspective, there were so many great players, it was very hard to win a match. The players who won second place and fourth place last year at state were unable to finish in the top six this year."

Stauffer said they appreciated all the players and their parents who came and cheered them on, including two other varsity players — Theresa Brands and Sarah Goodman — and the school's activities director Steve Berry.

"We had two outstanding alternates who remained constantly ready to fill in at a moment's notice. They practiced with us for weeks during the post season, and they gave up many opportunities to make the trip with us to Springfield," said Stauffer. 

She also recognized seniors Megan Mange and Morgan Schaper for their tremendous sacrifice and commitment to the team and school this past four years.

"It was heartwarming to see all of them, and their support was vital to our success. Our team was the subject of most of the discussion in Springfield, and it was well deserved, based on their great play."