Mullen back for second season with Maroons tennis after sectional title

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) -- Girls' tennis season is on the horizon in central Illinois, and a young local player is hungry for a return trip to state. Keira Mullen won a sectional title and punched a ticket to the state finals in just her first season of high school tennis at Central. She ended her freshman year with a 25-1 record. The Maroons bring in a new head coach this season following the retirement of longtime head coach Scott Davis. Kida Ferrari takes over the girls' program just one year after graduating from Illinois, where she played four years. Both Mullen and Ferrari are locked in on making it back to the state finals while also bolstering the Maroons' program. "I really want to like, bring a lot to the team this year," Mullen said. "I feel like last year I was a little nervous incoming freshman. So I want to, like, build more bonds this year with my team." "Keira is incredible," Ferrari said. "She has shown so much improvement and a will to want to improve. She is just so willing to work and listen to what I have to bring to the table." Central's season begins on August 22 at the Centennial Charger Invite. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.