Medical Lake boys' tennis still strong, girls rebuild

It is likely business as usual for Medical Lake's boys' tennis team as they look to defend their 2015 Northeast A League championship.

As for the girls, the rebuilding begins following their 7-3 third-place finish. Where the girls graduated six from their team, the boys lost only two.

"We are on the other end of the spectrum, we only graduated a couple," co-head coach Dawn Eliassen said. They are Austin Brown from No. 1 doubles and Tyler Krivolavy. Brown teamed with Isiah Farmen and together were selected the MVP doubles team.

The majority of the varsity team that won a Northeast A League title with a 7-1 record is back, Eliassen said.

Noah Ray returns at No. 1 singles. "He only lost to one guy last year in all of the league matches. In No. 1 doubles, Isiah Farmen will team with Alex Netter who was half of the No. 2 doubles in 2015.

"We've been working on meshing he and Izzy (Farmen) together; they're both pretty aggressive and hard hitters," Eliassen said.

New to singles this year is Kason Bailey who was part of the No. 2 doubles team. "We've chosen to split them up, at least for now," Eliassen said. Bailey has a chance to be the top No. 2 player in the NEA.

Last year was Bailey's first year playing tennis after transferring from baseball. Eliassen said she teamed him in doubles in order to learn from a more experienced player.

"There's not as much pressure in doubles, you have someone else out there," Eliassen said. His consistency was what impressed the coach. "He can hit the ball back a number of times."

Coaches are looking for someone who can keep the ball in play when picking a single player. A singles game can have maybe 10 shots, Eliassen said, where in doubles it might just be two and a different skills set.

The only other returning boys are Trevor Nilles and Colton Miller who played doubles together last year, and will continue to do so. "They are real experienced and picking up where they left off from last year."

"With only a small amount of turnover it's definitely within the realm of possibility they could repeat (as champions)," Eliassen said.

As for the girls, Eliassen said it is certainly a rebuilding season after graduating the top six girls on the team.

"Those seniors last year were the varsity team for three years with very little changeover," Eliassen said. "That left us with three that were coming back." Everybody else is brand new to varsity.

The 2016 team is young with a lot of freshmen and sophomores. "It's exactly the same boat we were in a few years ago, it's always cyclical like that," Eliassen said.

One freshman is a transfer from Reardan, Emily Zunker. "At the smaller schools they are able to play in the eighth grade," Eliassen said. "She's a freshman who's coming in with the basics."

Another new face is Lindsey Cazier who earned a spot on the varsity on her seventh day ever holding a racquet. She has a twin sister, Sydney, who is not far behind. "You can tell they've played some sports in the past," Eliassen said.

There will be growing pains but after that, if the current crop develops like those in the past, the downturn will be short-lived.

The matches will be a little rough she said. "We'll have to weather the storm. The good news is you learn a lot when you play better players than you are," Eliassen said.

Tasha Alsept will jump to No. 1 singles from No. 2 doubles. "She is really making a big move," Eliassen said. Jasmine Uribes is at No. 2 singles and Alyssa Pena, is a senior who will compete in doubles.

Former Cardinal player Jake Wesselman is other co-head coach and Todd Harr is a new assistant. "That system has been working well for the 18 years I've been out there, especially at the 1A level where boys and girls all travel together," Eliassen said.

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].