Outstanding Season for Shawnee Mission East Girls Tennis

This fall marked another outstanding season for Shawnee Mission East Girls tennis. 

The team earned its third consecutive Kansas State Activities Association (KSHSAA) team championship.

The team also boasts the third consecutive doubles championship for juniors, Bryson Langford and Greta Stechschulte. This was also the second consecutive year they played teammates Abigail Long and Katie Schmidt, sophomores, in the state championship match. Long and Schmidt took second place in doubles championship.

Bridget Epstein, senior, took fourth place in the singles competition. This is Epstein’s fourth time qualifying for state and being a four-time medalist. This was sophomore Katie Murphy’s first opportunity to compete at state, taking seventh place in the singles competition.

“Our strength is our depth,” shares Coach Andy Gibbs. “These six athletes got to represent our team of 90 players. Each of the players who represented us are seasoned tournament players. Players train year-round outside of school.  During the school season, we try to take the pieces that the players bring and put them together in a way that maximizes opportunities for team success.”

Director of athletics and activities for the Shawnee Mission School District Kent Glaser congratulated the team.

“They represented the SMSD very well,” he added.

Photo identification: Front row (left to right): Coach Robin Sutton, Katie Murphy, Abigail Long, Bridget Epstein, Greta Stechschulte, Katie Schmidt, and Bryson Langford.  Back row: Coach Sue Hallstrom and Coach Andy Gibbs