Emporia ? Even short-handed, Lawrence High’s tennis team was strong enough to win the Emporia Invitational.

Morgan Manger won the No. 2 singles title, and Jordan Payne and Elizabeth Simons won the No. 1 doubles title as LHS claimed the team title with 14 total points Saturday. Overland Park Aquinas was third with 13 points.

“It’s the first time in a half decade or more that we placed better than third at this tournament,” gushed LHS coach Steve Hudson. “It’s quite an accomplishment for these girls.”

Especially since the Lions weren’t at full strength. Two of Lawrence’s top six players didn’t play Saturday — one is injured, the other taking the ACT — so Bailey Frei and Kehinde Hameed moved up from the junior varsity and went 3-1 to place second at No. 2 doubles.

“It helps to have (Payne and Simons),” Hudson said. “They play with a lot of composure.”

Lawrence will play host to the Lawrence Quad on Monday, but that event will be held at Cossover Tennis Center because of court availability in Lawrence. Blue Valley Northwest, Topeka West and Washburn Rural also will attend.