MVP, All-Missota Conference honorable mention
(photo by Jim Lindquist)
After a winless 2010 season Tiger coach Jack Olwell was looking for a step forward in 2011. He got it in the form of two dual meet wins and some big improvement in individual play.
"We won a couple and closed the gap on a lot of teams," Olwell said. "We showed a strong work ethic throughout the season and and some dedication during the off-season that raises the bar for the younger players.
"We had fun and most of our players were playing their best tennis at the conclusion of the season."
Six of the 14 letterwinners this season were seniors: Jessica Autey, Katie Burgess (co-captain), Meghan Lindstrom, Ally Midboe, Rachel Molitor and Maggie Rudorfer (co-captain).
"The seniors are a great group of kids who carried us one way or another over the last four years," Olwell said. "Their attitude has been contagious and I will miss their leadership a great deal."
Underclassmen letterwinners included sophomores Elizabeth Adams, Melanie Kappes, Rachel Rees, Natasha Sinha, ShyAnne Spurzem and Megan Stivers and eighth-graders Callie Olmscheid and Molly Rudorfer.
Team MVP Lindstrom, who played at the No. 1 singles position most of the season, and Rudorfer who held down the No. 2 spot each received all-Missota Conference honorable mention. Rudorfer also took home the Tiger Award for being the most inspirational player.
Player of the Year Megan Stivers (best record)
Stivers won the Player of the Year Award for best record while Midboe, who paired with Burgess at first doubles, was tabbed as "Most Improved."
Though the steps taken this season were small ones, Olwell feels good about his program's future.
"We are graduating six of our top eight players so replacing them will be tough," he said. "But our kids are up to the challenge. Our numbers are up both at the high school and middle school level and we have some middle schoolers who have been taking some private lessons. They should be pushing the older girls next fall. The future looks bright."
