The entire crew is back for Mount Vernon girls’ tennis, and that’s a good thing.
Coach Crystal Eskelsen said last season was “a complete reboot.” A lot of players were thrown into the mix of varsity tennis without much previous experience.
The 2024 team comes in with a ton more experience.
“The improvement is dramatic,” Eskelsen said. “Most of them played over the summer. The hope is to improve with each match and become more confident.”
The No. 1 player is expected to be senior Jordan Bliele again. The lineup is shuffling a bit with senior Meredith McCollum out with injury.
The roster has a few new faces, including a couple of freshmen, but no tennis prodigies.
“We added another senior, and a couple freshmen,” Eskelsen said. “Most of our players haven’t played tennis before when they start in ninth grade.”
The early season can be tough with snow and wind chill.
“I tell the girls you can buy a tank top, but you are probably never going to use it,” Eskelsen said.
The Mustangs were 3-8 last season, and Eskelsen isn’t measuring the season in the win-loss column.
Mount Vernon opens tonight with a four-team “scramble” event in Mount Vernon. Grinnell, Maquoketa and Marion will be on hand for an event where 10 girls from each of the four teams play five matches.
“It is not seeded and just a random draw,” Eskelsen said. “They get points for every game. … And they play a lot of tennis.”
MUSTANG GIRLS’ TENNIS
Coach: Crystal Eskelsen (21st season) 319-431-0867
2023 result – 3-8
Returning letterwinners (9) – Kelsey Kamerling, sr.; Jordan Bliele, sr.; Lainey Kelly, sr.; Meredith McCollum, sr.; Tallulah Norton, so.; Ashtyn Rollinger, so.; Molly Bany, jr.; Alysssa Bohlken, so.; Mae Stoops, so.