By Phil Sandoval

Post Independent Staff

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With graduation less than two weeks away, Molly Axelson’s days as a high school student have become ceremonial. Except for one bit of unfinished business.

Starting this morning, Axelson and her three Glenwood Springs High School tennis teammates hope to put an exclamation point on their prep athletic careers by bringing home a medal from this weekend’s Class 4A State Tournament in Pueblo.

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For Axelson, named Glenwood Springs High School Athlete of the Week by the school’s coaches and staff, it’s taken her four years to make the big show.

“I got so close last year, but I didn’t make the cut. So I’m really excited about it,” she said.

And Axelson, who earned entry to the state No. 3 singles tournament by winning the Western regional title last weekend at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, looks to go deep into the bracket.

The key to success, Axelson said, is “to play my game. I just have to stay in my mindset and do I what I have to do and stay consistent.”

Axelson’s 11-0 record against Western Slope opponents this season proves her point.

The tournament is single-elimination in the first round, while the losers of the quarterfinals and semifinals drop into the single-elimination playback bracket.

Axelson begins that challenge against Hillary Procknow of Colorado Academy. Courtney McCallum, the No. 2 singles Western Region runner-up faces Cheyenne Mountain junior Cayley Wetzig as her first-round opponent.

In the No. 2 doubles tournament, Jackie Weast and Regina Waltsak, Glenwood’s only players with previous state experience, square off against Megan Baca and Casie Arrellano of Pueblo Central.

All first-round matches are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with losers bracket matches played afterwards as courts become available. Action resumes on Friday with quarter and semifinal matches on tap. Championship and third-place matches will be played Saturday.All first-round matches are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. with losers bracket matches played afterwards as courts become available. Action resumes on Friday with quarter and semifinal matches on tap. Championship and third-place matches will be played Saturday.