McPherson Girls Tennis Finishes Runner-Up at State Tournament
Five Bullpups earn All-State honors as team captures second place
The McPherson High School girls tennis team capped an exceptional season with a second-place finish at the Class 4A State Tournament held at Harman Park, earning five All-State honors and solidifying the program's place among Kansas's elite.
The Bullpups tallied 36 points to finish behind only Wichita Collegiate's 43, easily outdistancing third-place Topeka Hayden's 19 points in a dominant team performance.
"What a season for this year's team," said head coach Tyler Brown. "The depth of talent among these girls was truly impressive. For five of our six players to earn All-State honors in singles or doubles is an incredible accomplishment."
Senior Maryn Sandbo earned third place in singles with a 3-1 tournament record, displaying the mental toughness that defined her high school career. Sandbo played through equipment challenges that would have rattled most competitors, including a cracked racquet that forced her to borrow a teammate's before purchasing a replacement.
"Most players would have panicked, but not Maryn," Brown said. "Her composure and mental toughness set her apart. She's a joy to coach—focused, composed, and fierce from the moment she steps on the court."
The doubles duo of Quinn Liebl and Avery Unruh provided the tournament's most dramatic moment, rallying from a 5-2 deficit in the decisive third set of their third-place match against Independence. With their backs against the wall, the pair won five consecutive games to claim the match 7-5.
"Their growth, grit, and mental toughness this season were outstanding," Brown said.
Dragon Rodriguez and Lleyton Kuhn captured fifth place with a 5-1 tournament record, capping their run with a dominant 8-2 victory over Hesston. Remarkably, the duo suffered only two losses all season—both against the tournament's third- and fourth-place finishers.
Freshman Mayson Wiens finished 2-2 at state, concluding her debut season with an impressive 27-10 overall record.
"Mayson is the definition of a team player," Brown said. "She has the ability to beat many of the players who medaled this year. If she keeps up her effort and focus, she's on pace to become a 100-win player—and I have no doubt she'll get there."
The state runner-up finish crowned a season that saw McPherson claim both League and Regional championships. With five of the six state qualifiers returning next year, the Bullpups appear poised for continued success.
Brown also praised assistant coach Ricardo Sanchez for his contributions to the program's success.
"I couldn't ask for a better person to work alongside," Brown said. "His communication, preparation, and insight into our opponents are invaluable."
The coach also thanked the parents, alumni, and fans who traveled to support the team at Harman Park.
"Your support means the world to our program," Brown said. "It was an incredible season, and I couldn't be prouder of this team."
Greg Loving
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