With a combination of veterans and new faces to the game, the Mehlville girls tennis team is ready for the season to begin.

“This is kind of a fresh start,” Mehlville head coach Jill Wojewuczki said. “We only have five returners. Of those five, only two played varsity last year.”

Senior Annabelle Meyer returns for her fourth season and is expected to be another top singles player in 2024.

“I believe in all four of those years, she has been within our top six, and I imagine she’ll be within the top six again this year,” Wojewuczki said. “She’ll be on the varsity somewhere, probably, I would say, in the top three on a rank order. In addition, she’s just a solid person. She’s a good leader, and she has a great personality. She kind of leads the team.”

Edina Muminovic also adds to the team after having a solid freshman season.

“She was a freshman last year on varsity, so she’ll be within probably the top three ranking again this year,” Wojewuczki said. “In the off-season, she’s definitely improved her groundstrokes. Her serves have gotten a touch better. Her having that varsity experience last year will hopefully help her coming into her sophomore year.

Another sophomore to follow this year is Samantha Allsworth, who moves from junior varsity to the varsity level.

“Samantha will definitely be a part of our varsity again, falling within the top three, I imagine,” Wojewuczki said. “She’s improved pretty much in all aspects of her game in the off-season. I know she spent a lot of time working on it, and it’s clear coming into the season that she has improved.”

Other seniors new to the team are Hena Bukva, Addalyn Ruesing, Adelisa Durmic and Lejla Hajvaz.