The doubles duo of Keylee Schartz and Jacque Hsu is headed to Olathe this weekend, representing Manhattan High at the Class 6A state tennis championships. The senior pair enters as the 15th seed and will face Dodge City’s Macias and Banuelos, the No. 18 seed, in their opening-round match Friday at the College Boulevard Athletic Center.

For Schartz and Hsu, the trip to state caps a season defined by growth, chemistry, and consistency. The pair finished as regional runners-up in Wichita after advancing through a tough bracket that included wins over Wichita East, Washburn Rural, and Topeka High.

“It’s been a really fun season,” Schartz said. “I didn’t realize how much I’d end up loving doubles, but it’s been great just achieving our goals and continuing to get better as the season’s gone on. I mostly just feel grateful for this opportunity.”

Hsu echoed that excitement, adding that the experience of qualifying together makes this trip even more special.

“It’s really fun that I get to play doubles again and go to state — it’s gotten me really excited,” she said.

Schartz now makes her third state appearance, while Hsu will compete at state for the first time as a doubles player. The two began the fall as a newly formed pairing and have grown into one of the league’s most balanced and resilient teams.

“I feel like we’ve learned how to pick each other up and play to each other’s strengths,” Schartz said. “We’ve grown a lot in understanding each other’s tendencies and improving our strategy together.”

Hsu said teamwork and trust have made the difference.

“At first we knew we were both solid, but over time we’ve gotten better at the little things — communication, technique, and reading each other’s game,” she said. “We’ve really become a strong team.”

Head coach Tony Ingram and assistant coach Taylor Satterthwaite have provided steady guidance, believing in the duo throughout the season.

“They pushed us to try something new and supported us along the way, and it’s been better than we could have imagined. They’ve also made sure we’re enjoying the game as seniors,” Schartz said.

With just days between regionals and state, both players are prioritizing mental toughness and match endurance.

“Playing four long matches on a hot day at regionals helped us prepare for what to expect at state,” Schartz said. “It’s all about staying mentally tough and trusting our strengths.”

As the postseason reaches its peak, Schartz and Hsu look to close out their high school careers with their best tennis yet.