Manwiller, Mustangs set for match point

By Neil H. Devlin, Mullen Sports Information Director
Senior Lauren Manwiller and Mullen have their entire team in the 4A tennis tourney, set for Friday-Saturday in Pueblo; 'Stangs are legitimate challengers to cap a most-unusual season.
 
Fill in the blank – this has been a collection of the most-bizarre, most-difficult and most-welcomed season for the Colorado prep sport of ____­­­­­­__________.

Of course, girls tennis is one of the sports that easily can fill the blank. There was no season a year ago, so just getting to play again was considered a blessing; the 2021 season was shortened; there was still lots of inclement weather despite a late start; and no one really has anything in which to base it or compare it.

Hence, anything goes and Mullen is in the mix for multiple honors for the Class 4A championships that will be Friday and Saturday at Pueblo City Park.

“When you think of how much we’ve had to deal with,” Mustangs head coach Jera Sturgell said, “it has been an interesting season.”

The Mustangs can make it really interesting with a strong performance as they have their full team in the bracketing, including top seeds at two spots, one of them at No 1 singles, where Lauren Manwiller will be making her third consecutive showing.

“There is some good competition,” the senior said. “If I play my best, I think I can pull it out. I don’t know … it’s scary. But I’m going to try.”

Signed with Loyola-Maryland, Manwiller, who has lost in 2021 only to the returning 5A champion, didn’t place as a freshman and was fourth in 2019. Of the three players ahead of her that year, two have graduated and one isn’t playing.

Mullen’s No. 3 doubles of Madeline Crites-Aubryanne Leugers also is top-seeded.

The first two rounds at each of the seven positions will begin play on Friday at 9 a.m. and ensuing matches into the quarterfinals will occur as space allows. All remaining matches will happen on Saturday. And there will be no playbacks.

“I think we have a great shot,” Sturgell said.

Twenty-one teams will be represented. Below are first-round matchups for Mullen:
 
No. 1 singles – Lauren Manwiller, Mullen vs. Scarlet Leifer, Coronado.

No. 2 singles – Lexi Yost, Mullen vs. Jaea Sanchez, Pueblo West.

No. 3 singles – Marin Smith, Mullen vs. Dasha Mulholland, Thompson Valley.

No. 1 doubles – Brooklyn Hanley-Parker Durand, Mullen vs. Audriana Sauceda-Ambrea Pena, Pueblo Central.

No. 2 doubles – Tierney Scanlan-Izzy Desjardins, Mullen vs. Stephanie Zabel-Juliana Wilson, Thomas Jefferson.

No. 3 doubles – Madeline Crites-Aubryanne Leugers, Mullen vs. Zoey Shutes-Lilah Ruiz, Longmont.

No. 4 doubles – Renee Hoyt-Clara Dailey, Mullen vs. Gracie Jennings-Annika Olson, Longmont.
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