CAMAS — Union junior Miriam Muntean looked like a natural singles player Wednesday. She quickly dispatched Camas’ Rachel Merrill 6-1, 6-2 in helping the Titans to a 5-1 dual match victory over the Papermakers.
The result secured the 4A Greater St. Helens League title for the Titans (9-1, 7-0 4A GSHL).
On a sunny afternoon, that was plenty to bring a smile to Muntean’s face. She knows the road ahead can be filled with even brighter days, albeit with tougher and more stress-filled matches.
Muntean much prefers the doubles game and will enter the postseason paired with Union senior Nicole Knudtson, a decorated player whose budding career was sidetracked at age 12 because of a rare bone condition. Knudtson has still mastered the prep doubles’ scene, her best finish a third-place at the 2017 state championships. Now, the expectation is even higher.
“State title,” coach David Heitsch said. “I think they’re good enough.”
That puts a lot of pressure on the soft-spoken Muntean, who started playing tennis because of her father, Sorin, and has since fallen in love with the sport.
“She’s a senior and she’s amazing,” Muntean said of her postseason partner. “So I just want to play really good tennis.”
That hasn’t been too much of a problem for the Titan junior lately. Alternating between singles and doubles depending on the team’s need all year has helped refine her game. Getting a chance to play with one of the best in the state is the reward for all her efforts.
“I just take the next player in line (to pair with Knudtson), and it happens to be Miriam,” Heitsch said. “She’s a great kid and has earned it.”
Wednesday’s match showed how far Muntean has come in her mental game. Last season ended in frustrating fashion. After reaching the district semifinals, Muntean was eventually eliminated by a teammate.
Taking notes from Knudtson this year, Muntean played free and focused Wednesday in helping capture a league crown.
“Nicole has been really helpful in getting Miriam to see that it’s just playing tennis,” Heitsch said. “In leading roles, (Miriam) can be a little anxious sometimes. Now she’s a lot more calm when she’s out there. She knows now that she’s competing with the best and that she can.”
That success has made Muntean eager to step into a bigger leadership role next season. After seeing a young group secure a league crown, she knows the best is yet to come.
“I’ve been playing for three years, and I would say this is my favorite year,” Muntean said. “We have so many amazing players and so many are freshmen. I can’t wait to see how they do.”
