End-of-year Tennis Banquet honors standout players

The Merrill Varsity Girls Tennis Team held their end-of-year Tennis Banquet on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, to celebrate their accomplishments, improvement, and teamwork, and to recognize team members who were standout players or teammates this season.
Grace Hoock received the Newcomer of the Year Award. “With no previous experience in tennis, she stepped onto the court with determination, ready to embrace the challenges ahead,” said Elizabeth Thiel, Merrill Varsity Girls Tennis Head Coach. “From day one, Grace demonstrated a commitment to improvement.”
“It was fun to watch how quickly she absorbed the fundamentals and began applying them on the court,” she said. “Throughout the season, Grace not only improved her skills. but also developed a keen understanding of the game. She showed remarkable progress, especially when she played at the net.”
“Emily Frahm was awarded Honorable Mention in the Wisconsin Valley Conference as a collective vote from all the conference coaches,” Thiel said. “From the start of the season to the end, it was clear that Emily had a passion for the game. Each time she stepped onto the court, she brought a willingness to learn. Throughout the season, Emily worked hard on her serving technique, and it showed in matches.”
“The growth wasn’t just in skill, but also in confidence,” she said. “She began to embrace the competitive spirit, taking risks and pushing beyond her comfort zone.”

Jenna Malluege received the award for Most Improved. “Jenna showed an eagerness to learn and a willingness to push beyond her limits,” Thiel said. “Throughout the year, I witnessed Jenna tackle challenges head-on. She approached every practice with a positive attitude and a commitment to improvement. It was exciting to see how she embraced feedback, used it constructively, and returned to the court ready to take on new challenges.”
“What truly sets Jenna apart is not just the technical improvements,” she said, “but the heart she brings to the court. She supports her teammates, celebrates their victories, and has a positive spirit that makes our team stronger.”
Rather than a single Most Valuable Player (MVP) this year, “Claire Hintz and Emily Frahm both were awarded Co-MVP’s,” Thiel said. “Both Claire and Emily worked extremely hard this tennis season and it showed when they stepped onto the courts.”
“Both girls won the most conference points for our team this season, and Coach Wilde and I couldn’t be more proud of all their hard work,” she said.