Meadowdale girls tennis rebounds from slow start

The Meadowdale girls tennis team got off to a slow start this spring, but a team meeting was the catalyst for the Mavericks’ midseason resurgence.

“We didn’t do enough in the offseason to prepare ourselves for the start of the season,” Meadowdale coach Warren Bailey said. “We lost a match that we shouldn’t have lost. I (talked) to the girls, and we had the captains step up and speak. The girls weren’t happy with the effort that everyone was giving day in and day out. Whatever was said that day really opened a lot of eyes. After that, the difference has been night and day.”

The Mavericks have been led by seniors Bear Lund, their No. 1 singles player, and Mari McLaughlin, who plays on the No. 1 doubles team. For the postseason, however, Bailey is considering pairing Lund and McLaughlin for doubles.

“Bear’s gas tank never goes on ‘E.’ She’s in absolutely incredible shape,” Bailey said. “She can play two or three three-set matches in the same day and still wants to play because she still has it in her. Mari was a multisport athlete growing up, but she’s decided to make tennis her (sole focus), and she’s getting lessons and playing all the time.”