By Chris Parker
There are many talented girls tennis players across our coverage area. Below are some of the girls tennis players to watch this season.
NOTE: The athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
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Caitlyn Archer, Rogersville Senior
Archer qualified for the Class 1 state singles tournament last season but got a tough first round draw in the form of eventual state champion Aanya Singh. She helped her team to a district title.
Ann Beatty, Glendale Senior
Beatty played out of the No. 2 spot for Glendale last season and qualified for the Class 3 state singles tournament. The senior won her first-round match before falling in the quarterfinals. She helped the Lady Falcons to an Ozark Conference and district championship with a 20-1 record overall. Glendale has won three straight district titles as a team.
Jenna Besperat, Carl Junction Senior
Carl Junction won its most duals (14) since at least 2011 when MSHSAA started recording records. Besperat was a big part of that success combining with teammate Naiyah Wurdeman to qualify for the Class 2 state doubles tournament.
Allison Ding, Thomas Jefferson Senior
Ding will look to make it three state qualifications in her senior year after qualifying in singles each of the past two seasons. She lost her first-round match in the Class 1 state singles tournament last season. She also was integral to helping Thomas Jefferson to a 14-1 dual record and a district title.
Abigail Fulnecky, Nixa Senior
Nixa won a team district championship last season for the first time since 2015. The Lady Eagles posted a 14-2 record overall. Abigail Fulnecky is a key returning player for Nixa after qualifying for the Class 3 doubles state tournament.
Lila Griesemer, Catholic Junior
Griesemer is one of the area’s top returning singles players after qualifying for the Class 3 state tournament as a sophomore last season. She also placed fourth in the singles draw of the Springfield Invitational.
Elana Hadi, Central Senior
Hadi was one half of the area’s top doubles team last season. She and partner Brett Boney won the Springfield Invitational and qualified for the Class 3 state doubles tournament where they won their first-round match before falling to the eventual state runner-up in the second round.
Jeanna Jeyaraj, Thomas Jefferson Junior
Jeyaraj qualified for the Class 1 state singles tournament as a sophomore. She won her opening round match before falling the state quarterfinals. She was also a key part of Thomas Jefferson’s district championship team that finished 14-1 overall.
Olivia McGruder, Lebanon Junior
McGruder qualified for the Class 2 state singles tournament as a sophomore.
Chloe Stenger, Glendale Senior
Stenger was the No. 1 player on Glendale’s Ozark Conference and district championship winning team. She also won the singles title at the Springfield Invitational. She qualified for the Class 3 state singles tournament where she won her opening round match before falling in the quarterfinals.
Naiyah Wurdeman, Carl Junction Junior
Wurdeman returns for her junior season coming off a Class 2 doubles state qualification a year ago. She will also look to help Carl Junction another district title coming off a 14-win dual season in 2022.
