Ben Rasmusson wins 2nd Singles State Title, Karly Naranjo and Aaliyah Torres win Doubles State Title, Girls Team wins 2nd, and Boys Team wins 2nd
information released; photos by David Olson
The success of Manson tennis continues to highlight the program as one of the best in the state!
In the past four years, the Manson girls tennis team has earned one State title, two 2nd-place finishes, and one 3rd-place finish as a team. The boys team is not far behind, winning back-to-back 2nd-place team finishes over the last two years.
Adding to this impressive resume, Karly Naranjo and Aaliyah Torres just won Manson’s first-ever individual girls tennis state title. Right behind them was their teammate Ben Rasmusson, a junior, winning another state singles title and becoming a back-to-back State Champion.
Ben’s state championship title did not come easy this year. Despite being League Champion, Ben fell during the regular season and at Districts to his final opponent at State, Xavier Ewing from Soap Lake. The two athletes deeply respect each other and are considered two of the classiest players in the state. Ultimately, Ben’s consistency won out in a three-hour, three-set match at State.
“My final match with Xavier was great,” said boys captain Rasmusson. “I have so much respect for him and how he holds himself on the court.” That respect was echoed by Manson head coach Kate Sorenson, who added, “We admire Xavier and his coach Lee Leavell tremendously, both as athletes and as people.”
Ben Rasmussen
Karly and Aaliyah’s journey to their state title was similar to Ben’s. They lost to the Liberty Bell pairing of Woras/McMillan during the regular season and at Leagues. However, they fought hard throughout the season to improve, ultimately winning their final two matches against Woras/McMillan at both Districts and State.
“It still honestly doesn’t feel real yet,” said Karly Naranjo, a senior and captain for the Trojans.
“Aaliyah and I built such a strong connection throughout the season, and I think that’s what helped us the most during such a close match. We matched each other’s energy really well and always knew how to calm each other down whenever nerves or pressure started to kick in. Even when I made a mistake or started getting frustrated, I knew she was going to be right there beside me, encouraging me and helping me reset. No matter what was happening during the match, we trusted each other and kept fighting for every point together.”
Karly Naranjo and Aaliyah Torres
Aaliyah Torres
Karly Naranjo
The girls team was also led by senior captain Kayden Koth, who is committed to playing tennis at Lewis-Clark State College next year. Kayden is Manson’s first ever tennis player recruited to college. She has been to state five times, including during her eighth-grade year. Overall, Kayden scored 24 points at State throughout her career, more than any other female tennis athlete in Manson history and more than most schools have accumulated during the same time period.
This year, Kayden entered the tournament in singles, and her first-round three-set victory against Coupeville helped lead Manson to its 2nd-place finish. Finishing up her remarkable career, Kayden leaves with two top-four finishes at State, including a 2nd-place finish, along with four team trophies.
Kayden Koth
The Manson tennis team is coached by Head Coach Kate Sorenson and Assistant Coach Jordan Lehman. Sorenson credits much of the program’s success to her assistant coach, saying, “Jordan is the heart of this team. He is loved by our athletes, respected by our community, and brings the humor that makes every match and practice memorable.”
Beyond the impressive statistics, Manson tennis is a proud family made up of a huge fan base, incredible volunteer coaches, and a supportive tennis facility at Harmony Meadows. Sorenson said, “The owners of Harmony Meadows, Jeremy and Jacquelyn Jaech, have been incredibly supportive of our program and kids. Ryan Howell, the facilities manager, has been a huge support as well. We couldn’t be more grateful, and we know our success is greatly helped by having access to one of the best facilities in the nation.”
“The most impactful part of the tennis season, though, is the team,” said Rasmusson. “It’s a genuine family. We all support each other. Coming to state with them is what I look forward to every year.”
“This team meant so much more to me than just tennis,” said Naranjo. “We were always stuck to each other like glue; constantly laughing, making inside jokes, going on adventures, and sometimes fighting like siblings, but always loving and supporting each other no matter what. Whenever I finished one of my matches, my first instinct was always, ‘I need to go watch my team,’ because we all genuinely cared about each other and wanted everyone to succeed.”
Naranjo continued, “Our coaches helped create such a special environment. They always believed in us, but they also let us fully be ourselves and enjoy every moment together. I think the thing I’ll miss the most is the car rides; blasting music, telling stories, laughing until we cried, and sometimes actually crying together too. Those are the moments that made this team feel like family.”
Her words reflected what made this group so special. At the end of the day, the greatest victory was the family they built together.
