The McPherson Bullpup girls tennis team has been well-known for their great tradition. Over the past five seasons, they have finished no worse than 4th at the 4A State Tournament, having won the title in 2021 and finishing second in each of the past three seasons. The Bullpups return five of their six state qualifiers from a season ago, so they appear to be primed for another great season in 2026.
Maryn Sandbo is the only player gone from last season’s team that finished second place in 4A. She was the top singles finisher for the Bullpups, getting the 3rd Place medal at the state tournament. Also finishing third place at state a season ago were Quinn Liebl and Avery Unruh in doubles. They won the league title and the regional title last season and return in 2026.
McPherson’s other doubles team of Lleyton Kuhn and Dragon Rodriguez finished fifth place at the state tournament a season ago and both players return to the squad this season. Also back is Mayson Wiens, who finished in second place at the 4A Regional a year ago, falling to her teammate Sandbo. Wiens went 1-2 at state but gained valuable experience as a freshman. Another player to watch will be senior McKenna Paul who was part of a doubles team that placed ninth in the state tournament in 2024.
The Bullpups have a total of 22 players out for girls tennis in 2026. Only six players can be part of the varsity team, but their depth will help challenge the varsity squad in practice throughout the season. The JV squad already claimed a first place finish at the Buhler Tournament on Tuesday, sweeping gold medals in all four divisions. Gwen Prieb (#1 Singles) and Hattie Krug (#2 Singles) were joined by Brenna Sullivan & Emily Reno (#1 Doubles) and Piper VanCampen & Anne-Marie Holmes (#2 Doubles) as tournament champions.
With the JV season underway, the varsity season begins today for the Bullpups at the Hesston Tournament. Abilene, Buhler, Hesston, Maize South, Smoky Valley, Trinity Academy and Wichita Collegiate, the defending 4A champions, are the other teams competing in Hesston. Play starts at 3:00 this afternoon.
