Free State sophomore Keegan VanPelt returns a ball during the 6A state tournament Saturday at College Boulevard Activity Center. VanPelt placed fifth in the singles bracket to help the Firebirds finish fourth as a team.

Free State sophomore Keegan VanPelt shouted in relief as she delivered a strike past Mill Valley’s Sophie Lecuru.

VanPelt immediately ran to the net to shake her opponent’s hand, signaling the end of a tightly-contested match. VanPelt captured fifth place in the singles bracket following a 9-8 win over Lecuru.

“That was really fun,” VanPelt said. “She’s a really good player, it was a very good match. I thought I finished really strong.”

The top-5 finish helped Free State claim fourth at the 6A state tournament Saturday at College Boulevard Activity Center.

“I’m so proud of our team,” VanPelt said. “I don’t think we could have done any better. I’m really proud of all of us and we really deserved it.”

Entering the season, VanPelt had every intention of finishing in the top 5 in Class 6A.

After all, she placed sixth in last year’s state tournament as a doubles partner with former Free State standout Ali Dodd. This year, VanPelt provided consistency for the Firebirds as the team’s No. 1 singles player all year.

In the final tournament, VanPelt won four of her five matches. She notched three straight wins in the consolation bracket after falling to Gabby Lee of Blue Valley in the quarterfinals. VanPelt overwhelmed opponents with her strength en route to a higher mark than last fall.

“I’m more physical,” VanPelt said. “I’m hitting bigger shots this year.”

Free State seniors Kate Piper (left) and Gabby Gorman (right) embrace each other following their final match of the 6A state tournament Saturday at College Boulevard Activity Center.

In addition, Free State had a pair of doubles teams post strong showings in the two-day event.

Seniors Gabby Gorman and Kate Piper posted a 3-2 record to place seventh in the doubles bracket, while Andie Veeder and Anna Peard went 2-4 to notch 12th.

Gorman and Piper managed to knock off Manhattan’s duo in the seventh-place match to finish their respective tennis careers on a high note.

“I felt like I needed to win that to close off senior year,” Piper said. “It was just so perfect.”

Saturday’s performance was particular special for Gorman and Piper, as it occurred on the very same court the two teamed up together for the first time.

Both players first picked up the sport in the eighth grade, and have wanted to be doubles partners ever since. As seniors, the two players got to pick their partners and they elected to team up for their final campaign.

Gorman and Piper played together during tournaments in the offseason, so the transition was seamless. They rolled past most opponents this year as the team’s No. 1 doubles tandem. And it just made Saturday’s showing that more meaningful for the duo.

“I think we played really well and we competed really hard,” Gorman said. “Our chemistry works on the court, and we just bring each other up.”

6A state tournament

College Boulevard Activity Center

FSHS results

Keegan VanPelt (fifth place): defeated Ochoa-Guerra, SMS; loss to Gabby Lee, Blue Valley; defeated Lei, Man; defeated Wilcox, SME; defeated Lecuru, MV.

Kate Piper/Gabby Gorman (seventh place): defeated Stratton/Correll-Renfr, WS; lost to Gifford/Kurzban, BVW; defeated Peard/Veader, FS; loss to Lynn/Alfaro, OS; defeated Schartz/Park, MAN.

Andie Veeder/Anna Peard (12th place): loss to Thurlby/Parrish, BVNW; defeated Cole/Casmus, Leav; defeated Bradbury/Robinett, Washburn Rural; lost to Gorman/Piper, FS; lost to Thurlby/Parrish, BVNW; lost to Pryor/Wichman, Washburn Rural.