Lincoln East, Elkhorn North dominate Girls State Tennis Championships

The Lincoln East High School girls’ tennis team knew it had the edge coming into the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA) Girls State Tennis Championships. The Spartans had previously swept the Heartland Athletic Conference (HAC) District Tournament. This year at state, Lincoln East won three of the four categories and dominated yet again.

“This season was about team leadership, togetherness and solidarity,” said Chris Stock, Lincoln East head coach. “These characteristics allowed our team to flourish and become better on the court than we were on paper. And, because of these pillars, it was a season to remember forever.”

Lincoln East freshman Briana Rademacher followed in the footsteps of both her sisters, as she claimed the top singles title against Elkhorn South’s Ratna Kang (6-3, 6-3). At the No. 2 singles spot, Elkhorn South’s Allysa Sherman beat Omaha Westside’s Amina Adhima 3-6, 6-2, 6-0.

At No. 1 doubles, Lincoln East’s Belinda Rademacher and Gibsen Chapman beat Lincoln North Star’s Abigail Lottman and Brynn Person 6-3, 6-0. At No. 2 doubles, the Lincoln East duo of Adeline Fornander and Stacia Jacobsen beat Omaha Marian’s Heidi Hans and Kayla Brown 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

After Lincoln East claimed the top spot, Elkhorn South came in second. Lincoln Southwest placed third, Millard North came in fourth and Omaha Westside rounded out the top five.

A few days later, Class B tennis kicked off at Woods Park Tennis Center. Similarly to the Spartans, Elkhorn North claimed three of the four categories as the Wolves won the team title again.

Their only loss was at No. 1 singles as Bennington’s Kailee Bailey beat Elkhorn North’s Aubrey Phonephakdy 6-1, 6-2. At No. 2 singles, Elkhorn North’s Sophia Jones never dropped a match all season as she beat McCook’s Brooklynn Gillen 7-5, 6-1.