LADY BULLPUP TENNIS OPEN SEASON WITH WIN AT HESSTON

Get 2 1st-place & 2 2nd-place Finishes in Invitational Victory

By Staff

HESSTON – On Saturday, the McPherson High girls varsity tennis team scored a season opening victory by taking first place as a team at the Hesston Invitational.

The Lady Bullpups scored 36 team points on the day, giving them an eight point cushion over second-place Wichita Collegiate who had 28. Host Hesston came third with 16 while Smoky Valley and Wichita Trinity tied for fourth with 14 and Buhler scored 12.

(Lady Bullpups – Winners of Hesston Invitational)

“The Opening varsity meet could not have been any better,” pointed out Lady Bullpup head coach Tyler Brown. “After practicing in the evening for a week under lights due to the heat, our first meet was just 70-degrees in the morning and low 80’s when we finished. With the skies a bit overcast it was a players day. Not all the teams came at full strength due to the rescheduling of the met and two tams did not make it. But that did not get in the way of our effort on Saturday.”

Individually, McPherson took either first or second in all four divisions with the two champions coming from Maryn Sandbo for going 3-0 to win the number two singles and the freshmen combo of Avery Unruh and McKenna Paul taking first in number two doubles, also going 3-0 for the day.

Speaking of the invitational champions, coach Brown noted, “Maryn (Sandbo) won the number two singles by winning her matches 8-1, 8-2, and then 8-5 in the championship match against Wichita Trinity’s Grace Leopold. Our number two doubles team was made up of two freshman with Avery (Unruh) and McKenna (Paul). Even though they showed some freshman tendencies with nerves and timidness, they still found a way to show up and show out by going 3-0 for the day and winning their division.”

Taking second place on the day for the Lady Bullpups were Kyndall Sandbo in number one singles after finishing 2-1 and the Kuhn sisters, Brodie and Riggs, for finishing 2-1 in number one doubles.

“Kyndall (Sandbo) opened the day with a big win over Hesston’s Molly Martin before beating Ashlyn Cocker of Buhler for her first two match wins,” explained Brown. “She then ran into a tough Amelia Blackmen of Wichita Collegiate in the final match and lost. Going 2-1 on the day was a great start for Kyndall in her senior season. Riggs and Brodie (Kuhn) finished second at number one doubles just behind 2022 Class 3-2-1A state champions.”

Next up for the Lady Bullpup tennis team will come on Thursday, August 31 when they host an Invitational on the Doug Gayer Tennis Courts. Teams participating include Derby, Goddard Eisenhower, Great Bend, Newton, Salina Sacred Heart, and Valley Center. First volley is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

MCPHERSON LADY BULLPUP TENNIS at Hesston Invitational

TEAM SCORING > 1. LADY BULLPUPS – 36; 2. Wichita Collegiate – 28; 3. Hesston – 16; T-4. Smoky Valley, Wichita Trinity – 14; 6. Buhler – 12.

LADY BULLPUP INDIVIDUAL RESULTS >

#1 SINGLES > Kyndall Sandbo = 2-1, 2nd.

#2 SINGLES > Maryn Sandbo = 3-0, 1st.

#1 DOUBLES > Riggs Kuhn/Brodie Kuhn = 2-1, 2nd.

#2 DOUBLES > Avery Unruh/McKenna Paul = 3-0, 1st.

(The Staff covering McPherson County Activities can be reached by email at macks.people.places@gmail.com)