By Ken Hansard

Senior Ava Morris, Independence High School’s number one singles player, will leave a legacy for the Bulldogs that will not be soon forgotten.  “Going into the season I looked forward to making my last year on the team count. I wanted to try to leave my mark one last time.”

Morris not only left her mark on the program, but also in both league and Kansas state history.  Morris finished her career as a three-time SEK singles champion, three-time regionals champion, and a four-time state qualifier.  She was runner-up at the KSHSAA State championship as a junior and finished fifth this fall as a senior.  Perhaps just as impressive, Morris recorded over 100 career wins over the course of her tenure. When reflecting on her career, Morris stated, “I am really proud of these achievements because I always had a target on my back. I am probably most proud of my second-place finish at the state tournament my junior year, but I have continued to elevate my game.”

It didn’t always come easily, though, “At the beginning of this season I struggled more than usual – I seemed to be in a big slump.”  However, Ava recovered nicely and was able to finish strong down the stretch, accomplishing almost every goal she had set for herself, “My goals for the season were to win SEK and Regionals and place at state, so I am happy that I was able to reach those marks.”

Fighting through that slump likely helped Morris to achieve those goals, “I was really looking forward to post season like SEK, regionals, and state, because they are more intense tournaments that mean more to me personally. Those tournaments are where I show what I am really made of.”

Now that the season is finished, Morris has time to breathe and relax a bit, and she was able to reflect on her time with the Bulldogs, “I definitely saw myself as a big leader.  I have enjoyed sports my whole life. I grew up playing every sport I could, but I would say my love specifically for tennis came from my dad. He was pretty good in high school, and he tried to make me the best I could be. The inspiration I get for playing tennis comes from him and the work we’ve put in together.”

Morris is a standout in the classroom for the Bulldogs, as well, boasting an impressive cumulative G.P.A. of 3.95.  Her future plans are currently to attend Coffeyville Community College for two years before transferring to a four-year school to get a degree in Sports Medicine.  She would like to someday become an athletic trainer or physical therapist.