The Lady Saints tennis team had the highest finish since 2008 on Saturday, April 27 in Wichita for the Region VI Tournament.

With those 16 points, the women’s tennis team is headed to the NJCAA National Tournament that starts this Saturday.

Lady Saints player Jackie Arnold went to Wichita ready to send her opponent home as she took on Barton’s Kelly Brauer in the No. 4 singles. There, Arnold finished Brauer off and took third place.

In No. 1 doubles, Paula Lopez and Paula Coyos team up to face Cowley in the final round of the championship match. The two Paulas dominated, winning 6-3, 6-2 and taking the win for that match.

As the day was coming to an end, Kathryn Roohan and Arnold took the court against the Barton Cougars but fell 2-0 for that match.

Finishing the Region VI Tournament that Saturday, Naomie Bukassa and Grace Golden took on Barton for the third place of that bracket. The two Lady Saints took charge of the court as they take an easy win over the Courgars, 6-2, 6-1, taking home third place for the day.

The Lady Saints have had a week to prepare for this Saturday’s big day in Tyler, Texas.

“We have been working on conditioning, and using top spin in our hits. We also have worked on strategy and good, consistent serves as well,” Arnold said.

This is Arnold’s first time to have the opportunity of attending the NJCAA National Tournament.

“It’s the first time that I’m taking the women, so I’m excited for that. It’s been two years in the works,” said Head Tennis Coach Jerry Thor.

“This week we are just trying to get our energy level up and give it our best shot at Nationals,” he said.

This team has really taken a turn and has gotten fairly close to one another, and it’s been beneficial to the team’s success. ­­­­­­

Kathryn Roohan, being the only sophomore and captain of the team, the women have really taken affection towards her. “Kathryn has waited a long time for this; she won our region last year to help us go. This is good for her and I’m proud of her work,” said Coach Thor.

“We have a really small team, so there’s no way we could be a team on the court and hate each other off the court,” Arnold said.

Going to Nationals is something that Arnold is looking forward to. From competing against some of the best junior colleges in the entire nation, to spending nine days with the team, just the women and Coach Jerry.

“Probably the biggest thing I am looking forward to is playing with my doubles partner, Kathryn Roohan, who is our captain/sophomore. I’m so glad we qualified for her last season with us as a SC Saint,” said Arnold.

There will be 30 schools at Tyler that Saturday, and the drawing will take place. There, Coach Thor is hoping that the top players will get seeds so that the team can get a good start to the matches.

“We’ll see if we can win some first round matches, and if not compete in the back draw. But it’s not the end of the world, those points are just as key,” said Coach Thor.

The women will not know what kind of matches that they will face, but Coach Thor has the confidence that they are going to work hard and give it their best shot.

Some of the Lady Saints have prepared their whole lives for this, a chance to play against the top of the top.

“Even though we are a young team, we have women who have a ton of experience. Some of my players have played more matches than others will in their whole career,” said Coach Thor.

The Lady Saints are up for the challenge that will happen in Tyler, Texas and “to compete against some of the best junior colleges in the entire nation,” Arnold said. The Lady Saints will not step down. This years women’s tennis is strong and they seek to become stronger yet. ­

“I’m proud of them. When you work hard, it definitely pays off and the women are experienced now. The men’s team had a great season too, and it’s all been under Jerry’s coaching,” said assistant coach Molly Lentini.