photo by: John Young

Free State High's Ali Dodd reaches for a forehand volley during her number one doubles match against Lawrence High on Tuesday afternoon at LHS.

Winning the first seven games at No. 1 singles Tuesday, Free State High sophomore Kate Piper showcased all of the different shots that frustrate opponents.

Slices just over the net. Backhands and forehands to the back corners. Strong winners down the line.

With some extra motivation in the City Showdown, Piper rolled to wins in singles and doubles, helping the Firebirds to an 8-1 victory at Lawrence High, their seventh straight victory in the annual dual.

“It was basically confidence,” said Piper, who won 9-3 at No. 1 singles over Lawrence senior Nina Givotovsky. “Just keep focusing on my grip.”

Piper narrowly missed out on a spot at the Class 6A state tennis tournament last year, losing in three sets while battling through a shoulder injury. She’s icing her shoulder more to make sure the same thing doesn’t happen again and just focusing on her consistency with groundstrokes.

“She’s starting to play smarter day in and day out,” Free State interim coach Michael Trujillo said of Piper. “She’s hitting different shots here and there, and she’s able to incorporate more types of style of play, which is always good to see.”

Along with Piper, Free State senior Andrea Chen and junior Ali Dodd both won matches in singles and doubles. Chen and Dodd won, 9-5, against Lawrence’s No. 1 doubles team, Natalie Cote and Chloe Thornton.

“Ali and I’s communication was really good today, which is something that we have been struggling with lately,” Chen said. “I feel like we really came together as a team today and played well.”

Free State won all six singles matches, including a 9-8 (4) tiebreak victory by freshman Anna Peard at No. 3 singles and 9-1 win by Andie Veeder at No. 6 singles.

Lawrence picked up its only victory in No. 2 doubles with juniors Chisato Kimura and Mia Waters. The Lions’ tandem — in only their second match together — made up for a slow start in a 9-6 win against Free State’s Peard and Gabby Gorman.

Kimura and Waters were paired up for the first time in a dual against Bonner Springs last week when LHS coach Chris Marshall switched around the lineup.

“I think I’m better at the net and she’s definitely good at groundstrokes,” Waters said. “We’re also good at using our heads together if we need to change things up according to our opponents.”

But when the final matches ended, the Firebirds were all smiles as they celebrated their win over their crosstown opponents. Piper said the City Showdown dual is a meet they look forward to all season.

“It’s really fun honestly,” Chen said. “I think we’re all pretty respectful people. We all get along really well. We all have friends here. But it’s just a really good time to show the competitiveness of everyone.”

Both schools will compete in the Sunflower League tournament at 9 a.m. Thursday in Olathe.

Tuesday at Lawrence High

Free State 8, Lawrence 1

No. 1 singles — Kate Piper, FS, def. Nina Givotovsky, LHS, 9-3.

No. 2 singles — Ali Dodd, FS, def. Chisato Kimura, LHS, 9-1.

No. 3 singles — Anna Peard, FS, def. Natalie Cote, LHS, 9-8 (4).

No. 4 singles — Gabby Gorman, FS, def. Chloe Thornton, LHS, 9-1.

No. 5 singles — Andrea Chen, FS, def. Mia Waters, LHS, 9-1.

No. 6 singles — Andie Veeder, FS, def. Satori Good, LHS, 9-1.

No. 1 doubles — Dodd/Chen, FS, def. Cote/Thornton, LHS, 9-5.

No. 2 doubles — Kimura/Waters, LHS, def. Peard/Gorman, FS, 9-6.

No. 3 doubles — Piper/Carter Stacey, FS, def. Givotovsky/Sydney Teichmann, LHS, 9-0.