Netters headed up, up, up ...

 

(Sixth in a series of previews for Sprng 2020.)

Apparently, the operative word is up for Mullen girl tennis.

The numbers in the program in preseason practice are up – more than 100 hopefuls arrived for tryouts, so head coach Jera Stugell and her staff were forced to make cuts.

The interest continues to go up – another promising freshman is out for the team and a player came over from the soccer team.

And the expectations certainly are up – the Mustangs were third at the Class 4A championships a year ago and are back for an attempt to go higher.

What’s more, Mullen will have two Varsity 2 teams – designed to give schools with high numbers additional opportunities to compete – and Sturgell remains convinced her first V2 team “will be very competitive.”

Overall, she added, “I feel pretty good about this team. The girls coming in are good, so it’s kind of exciting, and we have really good possibilities.”

They are led by Lauren Manwiller, a junior and No. 1 singles player. Freshman Lexie Yost is eager for her opportunity and Zoe Polzin has come over from the soccer team. Seniors Jordan Cleary, Bella Wallrath, Rebecca Watts and Megan Sandy add as much experience as depth.

In 2019, both Manwiller (No. 1 singles) and Sandy (No. 3 singles) made the semifinals before settling for fourths.

“We have strong players to finish out our squad and we have high hopes,’ Sturgell said.

The regular season, already under way, will run through May 1. Regionals will be completed by May 9. The 4A Colorado tournament will be May 14-16 at Pueblo City Park.

As usual, said Sturgell, whose team placed at four of the seven singles and four doubles spots a year ago, the top competition in 4A also will include defending champion Cheyenne Mountain, runner-up Niwot and Golden, which tied the Mustangs for third place.