For the first time in Lafayette history, the girls tennis team has advanced five players, one singles and two doubles entries, to State competition.

As heavy rain became evident all day Tuesday, the Sectional tournament was moved indoors to Sunset Tennis Center. The unexpected switch could have shaken Lancer confidence, but every girl proved their focus and determination to get to State.

Senior Haleigh Chobanian has set a record of qualifying to State all four years of high school. Freshman year, she unfortunately broke her ankle right before the tournament. Chobanian was able to place well the next two years, clinching a fourth place title her sophomore year and a fifth place her junior year.

Also qualifying as individual entries, senior Arianna Demos and Abby Carpenter hope to find success as a new doubles team. During District play, the girls found their rhythm quickly to earn them a first place finish. The Individual Sectional tournament included only one match, as Carpenter and Demos defeated a Farmington team, 6-0, 6-0.

Advancing to State for the first time as individuals, seniors Kayla Neskar and Emily Weinhold also found chemistry in their new partnership. The girls clinched a win over Oakville’s number one doubles team at Sectionals with a score of 6-2, 6-2.

Now the girls have team Sectionals to look forward to on Sat., Oct. 19. The team will face Kirkwood at 9 a.m. and look to redeem their 4-5 loss to the Pioneers during regular season.