The Medical Lake Cardinal boys tennis team was awarded the league championship trophy for finishing the regular season at 9-1. From left is Coach Rowley, Atlas Martin-Labrucherie, Brody Rector, Noah Young, Tristan Francis, Isaac Barr, Josh Burt, Mason Satko, Ryen Gibby and Coach Houn.
MEDICAL LAKE - The Medical Lake varsity boys tennis team was crowned league champions after finishing the regular season with a 9-1record.
Following a strong performance at the NEA District Tournament on May 13, Cardinals doubles Isaac Barr and Tristan Francis are heading to the regional tournament.
"It's exciting to have Isaac and Tristan moving on to the regional playoffs against the B schools next weekend," said Head Coach Dawn Eliassen Eliassen. "Their goal at the beginning of the season was to qualify for state. They'll have to finish the regionals tourney in the top three to qualify."
Eliassen said the pair had a first-round bye at district's, then beat their next opponents without much trouble.
In the third showdown of the tournament, Barr and Francis faced Jayden Lentz and Johnny Chadduck of Freeman. Eliassen said it was nerve-racking to watch.
"Such a stressful match (for the coaches)," Eliassen said. "Isaac and Tristan lost the first set, then were down 0-4 (I think) in the second before they came back and won six straight games to take the set. Then they were down (maybe) 0-3 in the third set before coming back and winning it."
In the finals match, the pair then lost to Tyce Lyons and Gavin Garrison of Riverside but will be the number two seed going into regionals, where they'll face the number three B school seed.
The girls' team also competed in the district tournament, but the only Cardinal to come away with a win was Isabelle Rhoads, who beat Galexie Clelland from Riverside. No Lady Cardinal moves on to regionals, but Eliassen said the girls gained a lot of experience playing in the tournament.
"All of the girls competed this weekend. They all played to the best of their abilities," Eliassen said. "There were moments of self-doubt, but it's a learning experience for them. The tournament atmosphere with the chance to advance to the next level is new for all.
"Last year, districts was the end of the season no matter what. You need a lot of experience with something on the line to learn to control the mental aspect. I'm super proud of everyone's effort, their quality of play, and the vast improvement they've all made since the beginning of the season."
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