File photo by Ari Selvey New Ulm’s Natalie Fischer returns the ball during a nonconference girls tennis meet against Waconia on Aug. 22 at New Ulm High School.

NEW ULM — The New Ulm Eagles girls tennis team will have a new look to it this fall as the Eagles will lean on much of their youth for the 2025 campaign.

The Eagles graduated two key singles competitors from last season in Karlee Prahl and Jocelyn Pettersen, opening the door for two sophomores to step up.

“Looks like Carmen Schotzko and Natalie Fischer will be contending — maybe alternating — for that top spot as 10th-graders,” New Ulm eighth-year girls tennis head coach Pete Engeldinger said. “They both played singles last year on varsity — Carmen the last two years — so they will slide in nicely at the top spots.”

Another sophomore, Avah Kruse, will occupy the No. 4 singles spot, but the Eagles will have one senior leader in singles action as Lilly Kral takes the No. 3 singles spot.

“Senior Lilly Kral has been at the 3 spot and so far has been doing really well,” Engeldinger said. “She lost her first match against a tough Mankato East player and then won recently against a solid Le Sueur-Henderson girl in three sets.”

Engeldinger also said Kral has shown grit and tenacity so far and knows how to win matches.

As for Kruse, Engeldinger sees a lot of potential.

“She’s got great potential — nice consistent player, competitive, good athlete, we’ll see how that goes because she could also help us in the doubles world,” he said.

The Eagles could also have first-year player and sophomore Maggie Joyce play at No. 4 singles this year.

“She’s at 2 doubles now and showing serious improvement,” Engeldinger said. “She’s a legit basketball player who really understands court movement and all the rest, so the transition to tennis is going really well.”

Doubles action is where the Eagles will see the four of their five seniors on varsity play this season, starting with the No. 1 doubles pair of seniors Kaylee Evans and Everly Batt, who Engeldinger said are probably going to be there to stay in that spot.

“That 1 doubles crew of seniors Kaylee Evans and Everly Batt will be solid leaders along with Lydia Osborne,” he said. “They all are solid athletes with great doubles skills: they serve well, have great net skills, move well on the court together, communicate well.”

Osborne, another senior, will partner with Maggie Joyce at No. 2 doubles — and possibly Kruse. No. 3 doubles is up for grabs, with Brielle Evans (junior), Edith Albrecht (sophomore), Annika Wyffels (junior) and Chloe Kelly (senior) all looking for their chance to take a doubles spot.

The Eagles will feature 21 players this year, and Engeldinger sees a few stepping up more this season.

“Avah Kruse and Maggie Joyce are going to help us a lot this year and I think Brielle Evans is going to contribute plenty too in the doubles world,” he said.

With the majority of the team being underclassmen, the players should be sponges for Engeldinger this year when it comes to learning the game and developing. However, that could mean some growing pains.

“It’s always a matter of consistency,” Engeldinger said. “We’ve got to keep the ball in play, minimize the unforced errors, and then work on the mental game in the sense of making smart decisions on shot selection, not hurting our chances by giving the opponent offensive opportunities. We’ve got lots to work on and I’m excited to see the players improve.”