The top-six players at Saturday's Class 5A regional tennis tournament in Salina advanced to the state tournament. The rest called it a season. Both Lady Panther singles players and both doubles team made early exits to close out the GBHS season.
Playing as the No. 8 seed, Kaylin Wahlmeier was the best bet for Great Bend in the singles bracket. She won her first set against Salina South's Sofia Burns but lost 6-4 in the second and lost the tie-break. Burns qualified for state in sixth after a loss to Salina Central's Katelyn Rupe, who will be one of the stars at the Class 5A cross country regional at Lake Barton on Oct. 22.
Lakyn Smith had a tough draw as the No. 11 seed, falling 6-2, 6-1 to Newton's Haley Ruth, who qualified for state after a fourth-place finish.
In doubles action, Samantha Mayers and Taylor Lashley played as the No. 14 seed, falling 6-1, 6-1 to a Newton team that went on to finish third. Clarise Snapp and Mackenzie LaViolette had the toughest draw in the bracket, falling 6-0, 6-0 to the top-seed and eventual champions from Salina Central.