By MINDY KEPFIELD

Staff writer

Returning seniors are strength of a tiny but tough Trojan tennis team.

John Ruder hopes the eight girls out this season will stay healthy and uninjured until they can qualify for state.

The Trojans sent a doubles team of Callie Bernhardt and Callie Plenert to the big dance in Wichita last year.

His second year as coach, Ruder nudged a key competitor out of her comfort zone.

Returning senior Plenert will play singles instead of pairing with a partner this season.

She finished third the first time she competed solo this year during the team’s home meet Aug. 31.

“She was pretty nervous in her first match but settled in and played two strong matches,” Ruder said, calling Plenert “an excellent player.”

“I’m looking forward to seeing how far she can go,” Ruder said.

Returning seniors Cheyenne Funk and Kate Maxfield, and junior Katie Rempel, and sophomore Violet Klien will compete in doubles.

The Trojan’s doubles teams of Rempel and Klein, Maxfield and Annaliese Jorgenson all netted fourth place finishes.

Maxfield and Funk have a shot at qualifying for state, Ruder said.

Rempel and Klein join junior, Tylee Miller, sophomore, Analiese Jorgenson, and freshman Cassidy Bernhardt on varsity this year.

“They had a very successful junior varsity season last year and will compete well,” he said.

Several girls took private tennis lessons this summer, Ruder said.

“The girls have been working really hard and performed well their first meet,” he said.

Ruder recently was honored for participating in United States Professional Tennis Association’s continuing education program.

He plans to have the tennis team conduct four junior clinics for children this fall to create interest in the sport.

“Hopefully, we can grow tennis because it is the sport of a lifetime,” he said.

Hillsboro’s next meet will be 9 a.m. Saturday in Hesston.