Bullpups Tennis Returns Nearly Entire State Runner-Up Squad

The McPherson High School girls tennis team enters the 2025 season with championship aspirations and the experience to back them up. After finishing as Class 4A state runner-up last year, the Bullpups return five of their top six players from a squad that also captured a regional title and placed second in league play behind Wichita Collegiate.

Leading the charge is junior Maryn Sandbo, who placed third at state last season as a semifinalist. She'll anchor a lineup that includes Dragon Rodriguez, a singles state qualifier who previously earned a doubles state medal, along with doubles teams Quinn Liebl/Avery Unruh (7th at state) and McKenna Paul, who partnered with graduated senior Kennedy Tully for a 9th-place state finish. The team's depth is bolstered by freshmen Mayson Wiens and Lleyton Kuhn, both expected to contribute immediately in singles and doubles competition.

The Bullpups stayed sharp over the summer through the Mac Advantage Tennis Club's seven-week program of lessons, camps, and tournaments. With several school coaches involved in the club, players had ample opportunity to develop their skills heading into the season. Key matches include tilts against Hesston (Aug. 28) and Buhler (Sept. 18), along with prestigious tournaments like the Doug Gayer Classic (Sept. 23) and Tournament of Champions (Sept. 27).

"This could be one of the program's most complete teams from top to bottom," the coaching staff noted, citing the squad's depth, versatility, and experience. The Bullpups have set ambitious but attainable goals: finish top two in league and regionals while placing in the top three at state. With nearly their entire state tournament lineup returning and hungry newcomers pushing for varsity spots, McPherson appears poised for another memorable season on the courts.

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