After a strong season a year ago that saw a 15-4 record as well as an 8-1 mark in the Central Ozark Conference, Carl Junction is tasked with traversing a path through the newly-formed Ozark Mountain Conference as the Bulldogs look to build off last year’s success.
“I am super excited for the upcoming season,” CJ coach Craig Fox said to NewsTalk KZRG. “We have four returning players with varsity experience. … We should have another strong year with our varsity lineup. They have had a lot of success and experience at the varsity level. We also have the biggest team in years which reflects on the success we have had the last few years.”
The Bulldogs lost Jenna Besperat, Isabelle Read, Alyssa Graves and Emily Rice to graduation, but Carl Junction returns a plethora of varsity experience to lead the way this upcoming season.
Highlighting the list of returners for Carl Junction is COC Conference Player of the Year Naiyah Wurdeman, who took third in state in doubles last season with Besperat.
Also returning to the varsity squad are seniors Brooklin Leggett, and Sophia Neal, with junior Brooke Jasperson also on the varsity squad.
“Our experience will be our strength this year,” Fox said. “We have several girls with varsity experience as well as playing year-round in local tournaments.”
Seniors Lexi Medina, Sydney Ward, Tallie Ayton, Eva Habert and Emily Cochran also return along with juniors Olivia Bakos and Katherine Mash and sophomore Emma Strickland.
Numbers won’t be a problem for Carl Junction, as the Bulldogs also have 12 incoming freshmen, but that just means each player will have to take individual ownership on improving as the season progresses.
“With having such a large number on the team, it will be difficult to give the personal instruction
and attention that we like to provide,” Fox said. “The team will have to take initiative and make sure they are handling their business.”
Carl Junction left the Central Ozark Conference upon the completion of the 2023-24 school year. The Bulldogs are now in the Ozark Mountain Conference, which also consists of Bolivar, Branson, Rogersville, Marshfield and West Plains.
“We are in a new conference this year, so we need to start fast and play up to our capabilities,” Fox said. “With all of the travel, the students will have to focus and stay in tune with our goals and all of the things that have gotten them to this point.”
Carl Junction opens the tennis season in the Joplin Interstate Championships on Aug. 30 and 31.