Megan Muller is no stranger to the spotlight.

The Pequot Lakes junior is in her third season being the Patriots No. 1 singles player and has compiled a 73-10 career record with a 10-0 record in 2020 including a 6-0, 6-2 in a win over Staples-Motley last week.

“My serves have really improved,” Muller said. “My backhand has gotten a lot better as well. It’s been a lot of practice over the summer and a lot of practice over the past few weeks with the team.”

Muller is coming off a sophomore season in which she finished fourth in the Class 1A state singles tournament, was named to the Mid-State All-Conference team and voted team MVP by her teammates while finishing the season with a 34-5 record.

“Megan is a really hard worker,” Pequot Lakes head tennis coach Monica Sergent said. “Not just in practice, but outside of practice.”

With the unknowns surrounding a 2020 season, Muller is thankfully to be on the court despite the fact she won’t be getting a chance to prove herself in the state singles tournament.

“I didn’t expect much different this season,” Muller said. “I just thought of it as the same thing — ignoring the whole state part — and just thought of it as a whole new season again. I was hoping to have an individual or state tournament, but if we have sections with our team that’s fun, too. I’m just happy we are having a season.”

Muller texted Sergent when it was announced there would be a tennis season about how excited she was.

Muller is the type of player who comes early and stays late for practice.

Sergent recalls a time this year when practice was canceled due to rain. Nevertheless, Muller still came out and practiced that night when the tennis courts dried up.

“She called me and asked me what we are going to do,” Sergent said. “I told her we didn’t really have a choice because the courts are wet. She said she would come out when the courts are dry. She is just so self-motivated and driven to practice and improve her game everyday.”

Muller says her drive comes from her family background.

“We are all really athletic and we always like to try our best,” Muller said.

Muller said it was her sister who got her into tennis when her family lived in Italy. Muller was born in Germany and moved to Pequot Lakes when she was a freshman in high school.

“She started practicing there and she always wanted me to practice with her,” Muller said.

As a team, the Patriots finished fourth in the Class 1A state tournament last season, and will have a chance to repeat as section winners this year with Muller as their No. 1 singles player.

“I’m not super used to the pressure yet,” Muller said of being the No. 1 singles player. “Before every match — I don’t even care who it is against — I’m always super nervous.”

One of Muller’s best memories playing tennis for Pequot is clinching the section title last year against Virginia. Muller was the last match to finish and when she got match point her teammates ran on the court and mobbed her to celebrate.

“Everyone just came running out to me,” Muller said. “It was super fun, probably the highlight of my career so far.”

Sergent thinks Muller is more self-confident and patient this year.

“She is more relaxed and that helps her make fewer unforced errors,” Sergent said.

Muller likes tennis because it’s a good combination of team and individual sport. She really enjoys practice and when she has a match against a tough opponent.

“You have to have a good mentality, but it’s always fun to be out there with the team,” Muller said. “It’s always important to stay positive and keep your head up and encourage others to do the same so we can do our best.”

Sergent said Muller is always a team-first player.

“She’s a lot of fun and gets along with everyone,” Sergent said. “When she has a break in the school day she will ask me to unlock the sheds, so she can get some tennis balls and the next thing I know there will be other players out there, too. It’s contiguous.

Moving into her senior year, Muller wants to continue to improve her backhand.

“It’ll be a lot of practice with my dad,” Muller said. “Just staying more consistent and working on my net game, too.”

Other notable performances:

Tennis: Quinn Trottier, Pequot Lakes, won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles in a 7-0 win over Staples-Motley.

Bella Sablan, Crosby-Ironton, recorded her 50th win in a 6-7, 6-4, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles in a win over Mora.

Claire Kimman, Little Falls, won 6-0, 6-1 at No. 4 singles in a win over St. John’s Prep.

Madalyn Gallant-Anna Fiemeyer, Wadena-Deer Creek, won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 doubles in a win over Long Prairie-Grey Eagle.

Soccer: Kendal Swantek, Little Falls, recorded two goals in a 4-1 win over St. John’s Prep and one goal in a tie against Cathedral.

Mikayla Houdek, Little Falls, recorded one goal and one assist in a 4-1 win over St. John’s Prep.

Cross-Country: Kyanna Burton, Staples-Motley, won at The Vintage at Staples in 20:27.14.

Calia Chaney, Pequot Lakes, won at Emily Greens in 18:51.06.

Amber Collins, Wadena Deer-Creek, won at Bertha in 21:40.

Megan Muller

Year: Junior

School: Pequot Lakes

Sport: Tennis

Position: No. 1 singles

Highlights: won 6-0, 6-2 in a win over Staples-Motley