Daily Journal Girls’ Tennis Player of the Year: Burlingame’s Mila Mulready

With her win in the championship match of the PAL singles final, Mulready cemented her status as the San Mateo Daily Journal’s Girls’ Tennis Player of the Year.

“I was kind of glad I played this last year of (high school) tennis. I came off a tough summer season,” Mulready said. “I wanted to keep going. I wanted to cap off my final year at Burlingame with a bang.”

Mulready went a perfect 7-0 in PAL Bay Division matches this season and was 11-2 in in league play and the playoffs, dropping a total of five sets while winning 23 sets. Both her losses came to Varsha Jawadi in the postseason. The Aragon senior beat Mulready in the PAL team tournament and in the Central Coast Section singles semifinals.

“Varsha is one of my friends. … I’ve played Varsha more than anyone, ever, in tennis. We’ve played together, practiced together. It’s incredible how familiar we are with each other’s game. … Because we know each other so well, it’s a little complex,” Mulready said. “I know I can beat her, (but at CCS it’s) what’s going to happen today? … It was a bummer, for sure.”

Mulready went 2-2 against Jawadi this season. She beat her in the first match of the Bay Division schedule, winning in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4.

The next time they played each other came in the PAL singles final. Mulready got off to a quick start, breaking Jawadi’s serve in the second game for a quick 2-0 lead.

Jawadi came roaring back, however, winning the next three games and eventually taking a 4-3 lead.

But Mulready, who struggled with her forehand early, dialed it and once she found the range, Jawadi couldn’t keep up. Mulready broke serve two more times, sandwiched around a hold of her own, to take the first set 6-4.

Like the first set, the second set was close early, with Mulready holding a 3-2 lead. She would finish off the match with three straight wins to complete the 6-4, 6-3 victory.

“I love my forehand. I worked on coming more to the net, but I’m an aggressive baseliner, who likes to take control of the point,” Mulready said.

It was the third finals appearance for Mulready and her second PAL championship.

But it was the first time she actually won the title on the court. She made the final as a sophomore and won in walk0ver when M-A’s Ava Martin had to withdraw due to illness. Mulready advanced to the final her junior year, but had to miss the match because of a college recruiting trip.

This was her final chance to win a PAL championship on the court and she grabbed the opportunity.

“In the PAL final, I was calm. I had things under control,” Mulready said. “This was the last, real chance to legitimately win the title. It was the most satisfying PAL win, being my last year. It was a cool thing to accomplish,” Mulready said.

Jawadi wasn’t the only tough opponent Mulready faced. Mulready beat Carlmont’s No. 1 Chloe Khachadourian. The Scots would go on to win the PAL team championship.

Mulready also faced M-A No. 1 Tessa Ellingson three times this season, going 3-0.

Mulready beat Ellingson in straight sets in two regular-season meetings. Their third meeting came in the PAL team tournament final, with Ellingson taking her first set off Mulready, 6-2.

But Mulready rallied. She blitzed the junior Ellingson 6-0 in the second set and then prevailed in the super tiebreaker, 10-8, showing some grit in pulling out the win.

“I describe myself as a scrappy player. A fighter who fights for every point. I never count myself out of a match. I feel like I can dig myself out of any situation,” Mulready said. “Our league happens to have some good players at No. 1. You’re constantly having to circle (those matches). Playing them prepared me for CCS.”

More than anything, Mulready just enjoyed the team aspect of the high school game. While playing as an individual on the court, there was still someone to cheer for after her match was over. Adding her sister to the mix only added to the fun Mulready had this season.

She’ll continue with the team theme next season in college. She said she hasn’t made a decision on where she’ll go to school, but she said she has several offers and is eyeing a scholarship at the Division I level.

“I was exhausted (toward the end of the season), but I’m glad I pushed through it. It was a fun season. Good competition,” Mulready said. “I love the environment of being on a team. Summer tennis can be a little isolating. You’re still solo on the court, but you’re playing for someone other than just yourself.”