Highline and Kennedy moved on to state with their two schools' strong overall play at the 3A West Central District Tournament at Sprinker Tuesday and Thursday.

Kennedy's Bryan Thorp beat Highline's Donnie Stallmann, 6-4, 6-3, and used an oft-used pro sports hyperbole to describe how he could improve so quickly against someone he had just lost to the week earlier -Stallman -- in the Seamount League tournament.

Thorp called himself being 'in a zone.'

Lancers doubles team, Lim Chang and Fran Fraser , took the doubles title easy 6-0, 6-2.

Highline got the singles title, junior Jane Connelly won it.

She beat Pierce No.1 in her semifinal comeback, 7-6, 6-0, 6-1. She then cruised in the championship against Peninsula's Ashley Coates, 6-4, 6-2.

"I was warming up," said Connelly of her first game loss and subsequent match win in the semis."

She kind of laughed good naturedly when she said that. But Connelly was all business when she said this.

"I just got my strategy down. I tried to play more consistent tennis and get the ball down court."

Connelly thanks her mom for helping her.

"She knows the right thing to say and helps me get my mental game on," said Connelly.

She also mentioned Stallman encouraging her and Pat Anderson.

Who's Anderson?

"He's my boyfriend," said Connelly. "He supports me at all my matches."

Jennifer Chaedle and Maddie Guidos lost in the doubles finals.

"We were blazing through until then," said Chaedle.

The duo will still go to University of Washington for state.

"We both have excellent skill," said Chaedle.

"I don't," chimed in Guidos.

"You're quick," said Chaedle.