Athlete of the Week – Lauren Tull

The KROX Athlete of the Week is Crookston Pirate Girls Tennis freshman Lauren Tull, who finished second place in the Section 8A Girls Tennis Singles tournament last week and is advancing to the state individual tennis tournament next week in Minneapolis.
Lauren is the ultimate competitor. She is extremely driven, focused, and determined to be the best she can be at all times. She works hard on her game, and it is obvious, but the mental toughness she shows is maybe the most impressive trait.
She started playing varsity as an eighth grader and won 19 matches. This year, playing mostly first singles, she has an outstanding 28-8 record, bringing her career total to 47 victories.  She earned the second seed in the individual tournament and won the first three matches to reach the championship, where she played #5-ranked Ronnie Noska of Staples-Motley.  Noska will make her fifth appearance at the individual state tennis tournament this year.  Tull lost but bounced back to win the true second match in straight sets, advancing to the state tournament. “For a freshman, she is so mentally and physically strong. She has an amazing mindset and is such a skillful player, with a great shot,” said Pirate Girls Tennis Coach Brianne Ellison. “She is going to grow so much from playing at state, and it will be a great learning experience.”
Tull has a family history of state tennis trips. Her mother, Jennifer, made it to state her junior year, where the Pirates finished fourth place as a team.  Lauren’s older sister, Brekken, made it to state twice in her Pirate career.
At state, Lauren got a tough draw, as she will take on the #1 seed and two-time defending state singles champion Chloe Alley of Minnehaha Academy. Alley was also the state doubles champion in 2022 and a state doubles runner-up in 2023 before winning the singles tournament in 2024 and 2025.
Tull is a three-sport athlete and is a member of the Pirate Girls Hockey team.  Last year, she played in all 26 games and had one goal and one assist, and she will be a big part of the Pirate team in her freshman year. Last spring, she was on the track team, but she will switch to golf this spring.
Lauren is an honor roll student, on the student council, and a member of the Leo Club.

First started playing tennis-  5 years old

Best part of your game –  Forehand

Part of your game that still needs work – Serving

Toughest player you’ve faced –  Ronnie Noska of Staples-Motley

Favorite tennis court – Crookston courts

Biggest thrill in your athletic career so far– Making it to state

Do you have a pre-match ritual –  Listen to music

Favorite sport  – Tennis

Favorite sports team – Minnesota Wild

Favorite athlete/tennis player – CoCo Gauf
 
Last movie you’ve seen – Moana

Favorite TV program –  Criminal Minds

Favorite food – Strawberries

What music are you listening to – Pop

Something about you that people don’t know – I like to read

You’re stranded on a deserted island, and you can have ANY three people with you – Haddie, my dad, Ella

Plans after graduation – Go to college somewhere

Family –   
Dad – Ryan (EMT, Instructor at NCTC, and firefighter)
Mom –   Jennifer (Physical Therapist at Benedictine Crookston)
Sister– Brekken (at UND)