photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence's top doubles team Kate Neilson, left, and Ellorie Severin tape rackets after a point in a tennis quad at Sports Pavilion Lawrence on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Lawrence.

The Lawrence girls tennis team hosted a quad against Shawnee Mission South, Topeka and Washburn Rural at Sports Pavilion Lawrence on Monday, giving the Lions a chance to see some familiar faces and new opponents.

The Lions started with Topeka and won both the No. 2 singles and No. 2 doubles matches. Emma Over won 8-7 (7-3) in her Topeka singles match, while the Lawrence duo of Mikayla Denton and Lily Baldridge won 8-7 (7-5).

“You don’t want to see the same people every time, you don’t want to see the same styles of play,” Lawrence coach Stephen Hudson said. “The more styles of play you see, the more prepared you will be the next time out.”

Lawrence then faced Washburn Rural and lost 8-0 in all four matches. Hudson said the Junior Blues are a tough team and gave the Lions the chance to see some high-level competition.

“They’re a powerhouse, and they proved that today,” Hudson said. “They’re really strong, but that’s going to make us better, hopefully.”

For a lot of tennis players, the season is built around facing Sunflower League competition. Competitions multiple times during the regular season before league and regional tournaments lead to a lot of familiarity with opponents, with players familiarizing themselves with each other’s play styles and strengths.

Lawrence faced Shawnee Mission South for the second time in less than a week, and Hudson was pleased with how his team responded to seeing the same opponents in short time.

“They had a slightly different lineup, but I thought we competed with them well,” Hudson said. “We did better this time around than we did last time. Hopefully we are showing some progress and signs of toughness. Our girls stepped up and played better today.”

Shawnee Mission South won both singles and the No. 1 doubles match in tiebreakers, but Lawrence won the No. 2 doubles match 8-5. Denton and Baldridge went 2-1 on the day.

Overall, Hudson said he’s seen the team continue to improve, especially in how the Lions practice and attack each match.

“I like to see us compete for every point (and) play smart, and I think we’re getting better at that,” Hudson said. “The skills have improved as we’ve continued to work on those.

“You have to take some lumps before you can give some lumps. We still have to lose a few more before we win some more, but it won’t be too much longer. We have a young team, so we’re building for the future, and I’ve seen some signs of improvement already.”

The Lions will compete in an eight-team invitational on Wednesday at Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka before hosting another tennis quad against Mill Valley, Shawnee Mission Northwest and Shawnee Mission West at Sports Pavilion Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence singles player Lucy Miller-Coleman swings at a ball in a tennis quad at Sports Pavilion Lawrence on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence’s Makayla Denton hits the ball in a tennis quad at Sports Pavilion Lawrence on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence No. 1 doubles player Ellorie Severin moves to swing in a tennis quad at Sports Pavilion Lawrence on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence doubles player Kate Neilson follows through on a swing in a tennis quad at Sports Pavilion Lawrence on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence’s Emma Over runs up to hit a ball in a tennis quad at Sports Pavilion Lawrence on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence doubles player Ellorie Severin runs up to hit the ball in a tennis quad at Sports Pavilion Lawrence on Monday, Sept. 15, 2025, in Lawrence.