Three Ellsworth High School athletes had the experience of playing their last tennis matches on the biggest stage in the state.

Molly Janke qualified for the WIAA State Meet in singles play, while the doubles duo of Maria Harrington and Betsy Foster competed in doubles. All three are seniors.

The meet was held at Nielsen Stadium last week, with competition getting underway Thursday.

After watching competition in preparation for their first matches, the trio knew their work was cut out for them.

“I was for sure nervous. There are a few matches before you go on, you watch the matches. As I watched them, the nerves start building, but I wanted to get out on the court,” said Janke. “I knew I had nothing to lose, and I had made the stage, and it was already like a super big accomplishment. I was just going to go out there and do my best and see what happens, because I was just excited to be there.”

Janke was across the net from Dana Keesler of Appleton Xavier. She settled into her game and won the first match, 6-1, 6-3.

“Once I had the taste, I was not going to lose. I needed to win. I knew that I could,” said Janke.

She then advanced to a mid-day match on Friday against Jessica Jacobson of Catholic Memorial. Jacobson won that match, 6-2, 6-1. Jacobson then lost her next match, 6-0, 6-0.

“The competition there is another level. She (Jacobson) handled me. Her technique was insane,” said Janke. “The competition is definitely a step up.”

Ellsworth Coach Brad Baker concurred.

“The level of competition is crazy,” he said.

Harrington and Foster lost in their opening match Thursday night against Christa Borchardt and Carolyn Gorzek of New Berlin West, 6-3, 6-3. That didn’t dampen the duo’s excitement for making it to Madison for their last match.

“It was such a fun and exciting experience that I am very glad we could be a part of. Betsy and I worked very hard during the season and our work paid off,” said Harrington. “Although we lost during a hard-fought first match, there is no better place to end your season than Madison.”

And it was a great birthday gift for Foster.

“It was an unforgettable experience to play in Madison, surrounded by my family and friends and on my 18^th birthday,” she said. “I’m so thankful for the three of us to have this opportunity and for the fun memories made on this trip. It couldn’t have been a more perfect ending to four years of Ellsworth tennis.

Said Janke, “It was amazing. It was such a cool experience. Being able to share the experience with Maria and Betsy, two of my closest friends was really awesome. I had some high hopes this year for the tennis season, but I was not expecting to go to state. We were all definitely excited, and it was a really big honor.”

With the close of the fall season, it’s on to the next sport. Janke and Harrington play basketball for the Panthers, and Janke was first-team all-conference last season. Here’s hoping they can hit that big stage again.

“I am super excited to be nearing my senior year of basketball, and to have a few weeks to prepare while I’m in between sports seasons. I’m looking forward to a really fun year in a tough Middle Border Conference again and having most of our team coming back this year is definitely exciting. I’m excited to get started soon and get back to practicing every day,” said Janke.