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Wenzel represents Luverne at state tennis

Lead Summary

LHS senior Mia Wenzel qualified for the Minnesota individual state tournament for the Cardinals after winning the individual Section 3A Singles Tournament.
Wenzel competed at the Reed-Sweatt Tennis Center in Minneapolis on Thursday, Oct. 28.
In her first-round match, Wenzel was defeated by Ana Medina of Rochester Lourdes 6-0, 6-0.
Wenzel then played Annika Harberts Otts from Providence Academy in the Consolation bracket. Wenzel was defeated 6-2, 6-0, ending her state tournament play. 
“I have said it all year. I could not be more pleased with how Mia played,” said LHS coach Jon Beers. 
“Mia is a competitor and wants to win each match she plays. She may have come up on the short end of both her matches, but it doesn't take anything away from the accomplishment of playing in the state tournament.”  
Wenzel has been playing tennis since she was 4 and said competing at the state level has long been her goal.
“Honestly, this has been my lifelong dream,” she said Monday. “When I won my section finals match, I almost broke down and cried.”
Beers said it’s been about eight years since the last time an LHS girl was in the state tournament.
“Mia represented her school and herself very well just playing in the state tournament,” Beers said.
Wenzel finished the season with a 16-5 record playing No. 1 singles and did not lose to any Section 3A opponents during the year. 
“Mia has played varsity singles the last three seasons and was a great team leader this season,” Beers said. “She will be hard to replace and will truly be missed next year.”
Wenzel said she enjoyed competing with high-caliber athletes and described the experience as surreal.
“I made myself a lot more nervous than I needed to be,” she said. “But I was glad I got to compete up there with other people from this part of the state, and I met a lot of really nice people.”
Her advice to younger peers: “If you have a dream, go for it. You can do it.”

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