McPherson Middle School Tennis Opens Season at Winfield
Young squad shows promise in season debut despite 10-6 loss to Vikings
The McPherson Middle School girls tennis team made their 2025 season debut at Winfield Monday, taking 12 players for their first competitive matches of the year in a 10-6 loss to the Vikings.
Despite the team loss, several standout performances highlighted the potential of the young Bullpup squad, which entered the season with just three weeks of practice.
Veterans Lead the Way
Senior duo Audrey Pflughoeft and Sloan Shober provided the brightest spot of the day, defeating Winfield's top doubles team 6-2 with a combination of well-placed shots, excellent communication, and strong serving. Both players also captured singles victories, with Pflughoeft edging KaraLiese Wood 6-5 and Shober dominating Erin Sheldon 6-1.
Seventh-Graders Shine
The 7th-grade tandem of Aly Rausch and Elsie Walters delivered a dominant 6-0 doubles victory, playing smart tennis while clearly enjoying their partnership on the court. Walters also claimed a singles win, defeating Ellen Smith 6-1.
Comeback Performance
Lyla Rageth provided the match's most dramatic moment, rallying from a 0-4 deficit to defeat Sofia Miller 6-5 in her first MMS singles match. The comeback victory showcased exceptional mental toughness and clutch shot-making under pressure.
Building for the Future
Coach Henry Weiner praised the effort of newcomers Karsen Greer, Mabel Jones, Addison Hoffer, and Niah Janes, who all played their first MMS tennis matches. "Tennis can be a difficult sport to pick up, and with only 3 weeks of practice under their belts they performed well," Weiner noted.
Returning players Brynnlee Torsell and Madison Pollman showed continued improvement from their 7th-grade seasons, with Weiner expecting continued growth to benefit all areas of their games.
The Bullpups will look to build on their season-opening experience as they continue developing throughout the campaign.
Greg Loving
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