Nearly all of Free State’s girls tennis players have some experience competing at the Class 6A state tournament, but there will be a new twist this weekend.

Traveling to the Riverside Tennis Complex in Wichita, all five of Free State’s state qualifiers rode in a team van from Lawrence on Thursday afternoon for an overnight trip.

The 6A state tournament will begin at 10:30 a.m.

“We’ve never had an out-of-town tournament where we’ve had to spend the night,” said junior Gabby Gorman, a two-time state qualifier. “So it is a little different, I’d say.”

Even with the long-distance trip, the Firebirds are confident that they are playing their best tennis of the season after winning a regional championship last weekend.

Free State senior Ali Dodd and freshman Keegan VanPelt will be among the top-seeded doubles teams, entering state with a 30-3 record. Dodd and VanPelt combined for a regional title and a runner-up finish in the Sunflower League tournament.

“This has been my best season out of the four (years),” said Dodd, who took seventh in doubles at state last year. “Just playing my best that I’ve ever played going into it, I feel a lot more confident about it.”

Gorman and sophomore Anna Peard posted a 24-10 record, taking second at regionals and fifth in the league. It’s their second season playing together as doubles partners, which Gorman believes makes them “more prepared” for the competition they will see at state.

Before leaving for Wichita, Gorman didn’t name any specific goals besides playing as well as they can.

“Now that I’ve been to state before, I kind of know what to expect. I’m ready for it,” Gorman said. “I’m a little more confident than last year, just knowing more.”

In singles, Free State junior Kate Piper took fourth at the team’s regional last week, heading into state with a 14-16 record.

“I think everybody pretty much played their best tennis at regionals,” Free State coach Aaron Clark said. “If we were kind of limping to the finish, I’d be a little concerned, but I feel like everybody came in strong and competed well.”

Playing alongside VanPelt, the team’s only first-time state qualifier, Dodd is confident that her doubles teammate will make a smooth adjustment.

“Keegan has played in a lot of tournaments so she kind of understands,” Dodd said. “We’ve talked about it a little bit, but I think she’s excited too.”