RAPID CITY — The Huron girls’ tennis team is poised to make another strong run during the Class A State Tournament, which begins today and concludes Tuesday at Sioux Park and Parkview Tennis Complex in Rapid City.

A new Class A champion will be crowned this year as the top two teams from a year ago — Mitchell and Yankton — have moved to Class AA. Huron coach Rachel Kary believes the Tigers are among the teams that could challenge for the top spot this year.

“We are so excited for the state meet,” Kary said. “We have played very well against the teams we will be playing at state, so the girls are highly motivated and ready to play! I am hoping for a top-4 finish for sure.”

The Tigers, who finished sixth at the state tournament last year, went 13-9 this season. With 11 of those wins coming against teams they will be facing during the next two days.

“I am so proud of these ladies and how awesome they have done this season! The state tournament is such a fun experience and it will be a great ending to a wonderful season.” Kary said. “There are six seniors this year on the varsity and junior varsity teams — Bianca Medina, Beth Engelhart, Say Ma, Wednesday Paw, Moo Ney Chri and Linh Ha Vu. These ladies have been such great leaders and role models on the team. We will all miss them very much and I am so proud of them and what they have accomplished on and off the tennis court.”

Ma, who played fifth-flight singles was Huron’s top finisher a year ago, finishing third. She brings in a 24-6 record into this year’s event.

Engelhart, who is 15-11 this season at No. 4, was fourth a year ago, while Medina, who was fifth last year is 13-12 this season at NO. 3.

Sophomore Ann Hoek, who plays No. 6 singles, was also fifth last year. She has a 15-13 record this season.

Rounding out the singles lineup for the Tigers is sophomore AnneClaire Rubish, who went 13-14 this season at No. 1 and junior Lizzy Heinen, who went 15-13 this season at No. 2. Heinen was the consolation champion at that spot a year ago.

Huron’s doubles teams will also be looking to improve on their finishes from a year ago.

Ma and Hoek combined to go 24-2 this season at No. 3 after finishing fourth last year. Medina and Engelhart were also fourth at No. 2 last year and went 12-15 this season.

Rubish and Heinen won the consolation championship at No. 1 last year and put together a 16-10 record this season.

“I really think they all, in both singles and doubles, have the opportunity to do very well in every flight and finish in top spots,” Kary said.

A total of 11 teams will be participating in the Class A State Tournament. Kary sees three others in addition to her squad as being contenders for the state title.

“Pierre, St. Thomas More and Sioux Falls Christian are going to be some tough competition I think,” she said.

In addition to the challenges the players will face on the court, another challenge they could encournter will be the weather conditions.

“There is the potential for rain both days, so moving inside isn’t ideal and could be somewhat challenging,” Kary said.

Play will begin at 8 a.m., both days.