Mauston tennis off to a strong start

Mauston #1 singles player, junior Bri Huebner serves during Mauston's triple-dual with Sparta and Reedsburg on Monday.

By David Paradise
Star-Times Sports Editor

The Mauston Golden Eagles girls tennis team came into the season with some high expectations after an eight win season and two sectional qualifiers, Kelsey Loy and Kelsey Murray.

"Last year we got some experience under our belts. This year the girls need to ratchet up the intensity," said coach Laura Taake.

So far so good for the Golden Eagles, who are off to a 4-0 start this season.

Junior Bri Huebner is 4-0 as the Golden Eagles number one singles player. "Bri is extremely consistent. She moves the ball around so much, its like a chess match," said Taake. "Other coaches have commented on her strategy and she has done a great job stepping in for Kelsey Loy and became our number one seemlessly."

Sectional qualifier Kelsey Murray is the Golden Eagles number two singles player and she is off to a 3-1 start. "Kelsey played a lot this summer and it really shows in her tennis," said Taake.

Senior Sam Luna and sophomore Becca Murphy are Mauston's number three and four singles but Taake expects a challenge from Nora Bjelland. "Nora will give Becca and Sam a run for their money, which should help all three of them working hard all season."

Jacqui Plautz and Jessica Schurmann are the Golden Eagles top double team. "They are 3-1 right now and work themselves back into the groove. They are very fun to watch," Taake said.

Teresa Dallman and Nicole Leach are the number two doubles team         and Amanda Brunner and Bjelland or Murphy will be the number three doubles team.

Taake hopes the team can be in the hunt with Black River Falls and Onalaska Luther for the Coulee Conference title. "We should be right there if the girls can keep their heads in the game," said Taake.

Mauston fell to Reedsburg 5-2, and beat Sparta 6-1, on Monday. The Golden Eagles are now 5-1 on the season.