Sterling High School senior Chelsie Brown, the defending Kansas Class 3-2-1A state champion at No. 1 singles, placed first in the Ellsworth Invitational girls tennis tournament with a 3-0 record Thursday and extended her winning streak to 50 straight matches.
Brown (14-0 this season, 101-14 during her career) won the state title with a 36-0 record in 2024, placed seventh at state in 2023 as a sophomore with a 35-9 record and qualified for state as a freshman in 2022 and finished with a 16-5 record.
Sterling placed third in the tournament with 53 points. Ellsworth won the team title with 63 points and Chapman finished second with 55 points.
Sterling’s No. 1 doubles team of Jaiden Jaeger and Danika Zimmerman placed second. The No. 2 doubles team of Emma Kelso and Kate McGlynn placed third.
Ellsworth’s No. 1 doubles team of Inarie Rippert and Reygan Coonrod placed first. Rippert recorded her 100th career victory during the tournament. She is a two-time state doubles champion.
The Bearcats finished second at No. 1 singles (Karli Haase), No. 2 singles (Hannah Vague) and No. 2 doubles (Felis De La Cruz-Makenna Anderson).
“Chelsie played a very good Ellsworth player in Karli Haase in the championship match,” said Sterling tennis coach Janae Ryan. “Chelsie hasn’t had very many close matches in the last few seasons, and she did a great job of maintaining her composure in a high-pressure scenario.
“Jaiden and Danika lost a close match to an Ellsworth team who has been the state runner-up the last few seasons. They also got a win over a Chapman team who placed fifth at 4A state last year. Jaiden and Danika played extremely well as a team and continue to improve each meet.
“Emma and Kate battled back from a tough loss to Ellsworth to place third. They are a young doubles team who continues to find ways to win at each meet.”
