By Staff
SALINA – On Monday, the McPherson Middle School girls tennis team traveled to Salina for their division of the Wichita Suburban League Tournament which they dominated by winning seven of the eight levels for a team league championship.
The Junior Lady Pups scored 39 of a possible 40 team points by winning 31 of 32 matches played on the day to gain the team championship ahead of runner-up Salina Lakewood who had 27.
“The girls played outstanding tennis today to end their season undefeated,” noted head coach Paul Reichenberger. “At the tournament today, the girls won a total of 31 matches out of a possible 32 and at each division level, they played well.”
For McPherson, #2 singles Dragon Rodriguez, #3 singles Ava Miller, and #4 singles Emily Reno all went 4-0 for the day to earn a league championship trophy while Audra Sandbo at #1 singles finished 3-1 and placed second.
In the doubles matches, the Junior Lady Pups finished 16-0 on the day and holding four league championship trophies.
Winning league titles included Avery Unruh and Quinn Liebl at #1 doubles; McKenna Paul and Piper Van Campen at #2 doubles; Breanna Sullivan and Anne-Marie Holmes at #3 doubles; as well as the tandem of Sophia Boese and Hayden Eveland at #4 doubles.
Included in the league meet, McPherson’s double duo of Maylin Bruce and Elizabeth Britting played for Newton since they were short players for #4 doubles and the Junior Lady Pup fill ins finished third.
Speaking of his doubles players, coach Reichenberger added, “In doubles, we had great communication between all our double teammates all day. The best match of the day was a thrilling tiebreaker win from Sophia Boese and Hayden Eveland at #4 doubles against Hutchinson where they won 6-5 (10-8). That tiebreaker score is as close as a match can be in middle school tennis.”
Reichenberger spoke of his eighth-grade players as well when he stated, “I want to give a special shoutout to Avery Unruh, Dragon Rodriguez, McKenna Paul, Piper Van Campen, Ava Miller, Breanna Sullivan, Anne-Marie Holmes, Sophie Boese, and Maylin Bruce as they have worked very hard at improving tennis. They put in the time and effort to get better over the summer and during the season and it showed this year with undefeated seasons. Their leadership was evident every day at practice both on and off the courts.”
Coach concluded his post league meet reflections by saying, “I am very proud of these girls and am excited to watch them grow as tennis players and young adults.”
MCPHERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS TENNIS at League Tournament
Team Scoring: 1. JUNIOR LADY PUPS – 39; 2. Salina Lakewood – 27; 3. Hutchinson – 22; 4. Salina South – 15; 5. Newton – 17.
JUNIOR LADY PUPS INDIVIDUAL RESULTS:
#1 Singles: Audra Sandbo – 2nd
#2 Singles: Dragon Rodriguez – 1st
#3 Singles: Ava Miller – 1st
#4 Singles: Emily Reno – 1st
#1 Doubles: Avery Unruh/Quinn Liebl – 1st
#2 Doubles: McKenna Paul/Piper Van Campen – 1st
#3 Doubles: Breanna Sullivan/Anne-Marie Holmes – 1st
#4 Doubles: Sophia Boese/Hayden Eveland – 1st
#4 Doubles (playing for Newton): Maylin Bruce/Elizabeth Britting – 3rd
(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at crossdovewriter@gmail.com)