photo by: Nick Krug

Lawrence High number one singles player Nina Givotovsky returns a Shawnee Mission Northwest serve during a quad on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 at the Lawrence High tennis courts.

In between matches Lawrence High’s girls tennis players could be seen soaking up as much shade as possible. Throughout the afternoon, multiple water breaks were a necessity as the sun beamed down on the tennis courts in Monday’s quadrangular at LHS.

Amid the heat, the Lions were able to battle back and steal a couple of matches against Shawnee Mission West and Blue Valley West to salvage the day.

“It was hot. It was very hot,” LHS coach Chris Marshall said. “So I thought under the circumstances we played OK. Mondays are always tough.”

This Monday in particular was extra tough on the Lions. Due to rain, LHS was unable to practice on Friday and as a result the team started the afternoon off sluggish. Lawrence High lost three of the four matches against Shawnee Mission Northwest with the lone victory coming from Chisato Kimura, 8-7 (1), at No. 2 singles.

But the Lions clawed back and took three of four matches in round two against SM West. Kimura (8-1) and senior Nina Givotovsky (5-6 default) swept the singles while senior Natalie Cote and junior Chloe Thornton won at No. 1 doubles, 8-4.

“Overall I was pleased with my number one doubles,” Marshall said. “The way they rebounded and focused and really played well the last two matches. I was [also] proud of the way my singles battled in the heat.”

photo by: Nick Krug

Lawrence High number two singles player Chisato Kimura returns a Shawnee Mission Northwest serve during a quad on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 at the Lawrence High tennis courts.

In the final meeting of the day, LHS won both doubles contests to ultimately split with Blue Valley West. Cote and Thornton cruised to an 8-1 win at No. 1 doubles while sophomores Caitlynn Kliem and Karenna Peterson took home an 8-4 victory in No. 2 doubles.

The latter was especially important for Marshall, who has yet to find a formidable duo for his second doubles team. But with Sunflower League play looming around the corner, he may have just found his pair.

“We have some things to work on,” Marshall said. “We played a couple difference combinations at number two doubles but I think I found the one I am going to stick with so that’s a good thing. So it was a overall OK day.”

Monday’s matches marked the first such played at Lawrence High this season as the courts underwent renovations. After an afternoon spent in the heat, Marshall was certainly pleased with the idea of having a much shorter drive on the way home.

“It is nice,” Marshall said. “At least I don’t have to drive the van back and then drive home.”

LHS will play in the City Showdown dual at Free State at 3 p.m. Sept. 27.

Lawrence High tennis quad

Monday at LHS

Shawnee Mission Northwest 3, Lawrence 1

No. 1 singles — Lilly Oliver, SMNW, def. Nina Givotovsky, LHS, 8-0.

No. 2 singles — Chisato Kimura, LHS, def. Katherine Strohm, SMNW, 8-7(1).

No. 1 doubles — Anna Hoffman/Michaela Crowe, SMNW def. Natalie Cote/Chloe Thornton, LHS, 8-5.

No. 2 doubles — Emmalee Rose/Melissa Schmidt, SMNW def. Caitlynn Kliem/Mia Waters, LHS, 8-5.

Lawrence 3, Shawnee Mission West 1

No. 1 singles — Givotovsky, LHS, def. Nora Wiess, SMW, 5-6 Default.

No. 2 singles — Kimura, LHS, def. Sonali Patel, SMW, 8-1.

No. 1 doubles — Cote/Thornton, LHS, def. Michelle Day/Emma Hug, SMW, 8-4.

No. 2 doubles — Sami Jansen/Emma Bundle, SMW, def. Kliem/Karenna Peterson, LHS, 8-5.

Lawrence 2, Blue Valley West 2

No. 1 singles — Danielle Ferigano, BVW, def. Givotovsky, LHS, 8-5.

No. 2 singles — Gabi Ross, BVW, def. Kimura, LHS, 8-7(3).

No. 1 doubles — Cote/Thornton, LHS, def. Kaylee Woltman/Audrey Glander, BVW, 8-1.

No. 2 doubles — Kliem/Peterson, LHS, def. Lauren Pericola/Roshini Thirumalia, BVW, 8-4.