For the first time since 1997, the Park Hill girls’ tennis team has advanced to the final four team state championships.
The Trojans defeated Lee’s Summit West 5-4 in the Class 3 Quarterfinals at Barry Park Tennis Courts on Oct. 12. Park Hill (16-1) has been nearly perfect in 2021 with its only loss coming to Liberty 5-4 in the North Division Varsity Tournament on Sept. 27.
The top three Trojans struggled in their singles matches as they all three fell to their Lee’s Summit West opponent. Madison Whalen fell in two sets by scores of 6-1 and 6-2, and Elizabeth Ericksen lost 6-1 and 6-0. Audley Lynn also lost in her singles match 6-0 in both sets.
Ceselie Petrillo got Park Hill back on track by defeating her opponent 6-2 and 6-1. Katie Miller and Syney Roberson also won both of their sets to tie the singles matches 3-3 in the overall sectional match.
Whalen and Miller fell in their doubles match 8-2, before Ericksen and Petrillo defeated their doubles opponent 8-0. Lynn and Robertson helped the Trojans clinch the berth to state with a 9-7 win over their Lee’s Summit West foes.
Park Hill will play MICDS (14-3) in the Class 3 Semifinals at Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, MO, on Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. If the Trojans win, they will move on to the championship match to take on the winner of St. Joseph’s Academy (18-1-2) and St. Teresa’s Academy (14-2) at 3 p.m.