Tennis teams head into season with optimistic outlook

Published 9:40 am Friday, February 22, 2008

There’s been a lot of turnover in Edmonds District tennis this year.

Turnover can mean different things to different people. For the coaches at the various Edmonds Schools, facing the changes that are associated with seasoned veterans graduating is a harsh reality but also an opportunity.

Lynnwood faces many challenges, according to fifth—year coach Glenn Chinn.

“It’ll be a kind of interesting season,” Chinn said. “We lost six guys, all varsity players.”

But on the positive side, Chinn said, the Royals tennis squad has had “a huge influx of freshmen coming in, so it might be good a few years from now.

“We’re not a powerhouse.”

Chinn said his goal for the team is to have some entries in the district tournament this year.

The Royals are improving as a team, Chinn said, pointing to a pair of juniors, Ryan Crollard and Jerad Wachtveitl, as players whose games have sharpened since last year. Senior Boera Neth will also return. Additionally, Chinn looks to Chad Peterson to be a solid doubles player.

“These guys have played all these years so far, so I kind of have expectations from them,” Chinn said.

Chinn said right now, he’s working on improving his players’ “mental games,” giving them the confidence to face bigger schools with more depth, and club players. As the players develop confidence, in theory, the playing skill will improve as well.

“Our school has no club players,” Chinn said. “First we have to teach them how to play, and then they compete.

“Nobody plays throughout the year. I hope in the next few years to get some (club players) on board, but it’s expensive to join clubs and have private instructors.”

Also at the 3A level, Meadowdale is in a slightly different position, with much less turnover than many of the Mavericks’ fellow Wesco 4A South competition.

Coach Mark Schneider has several players returning, led by senior Aaron Lee in the No. 1 singles spot, and sophomore Jordan McGinnis likely to take the No. 2 position.

Lee brings with him experience from the state tournament from last year. Despite not placing, Schneider said he did very well.

Three other seniors, Corey Bettinghouse and brothers Chris and Steve Knight will also have playing time this season.

The Knights are not the only brothers in the lineup, as sophomores Alex and Drew Eli are currently slated to be the No. 2 doubles team.

“I’m feeling optimistic,” Schneider said. “Basically our goal is to win Wesco. We hope for a first place finish.

“We know Shorewood will be a big matchup, much like last year.”

Schneider said that despite playing the regular season against the 4A schools, that end-of-season tournament play is at the 3A level.

“What’s funny is that the smaller schools gave us more of a run for our money, and the 4A schools we just kind of handled,” Schneider said. “Shorewood is going to be awesome. We gave them a run last year.”

“I think the team is looking forward to the season with a good attitude,” Schneider said. “They’re outstanding athletes with great personality.”

On the 4A side of things, Edmonds-Woodway coach Dan Crist admits to having lost “a lot of top players, but we’ve got a good group of kids coming back.”

Crist will rely heavily on experienced seniors Eli Shields, Matt McCleary and Eric Kent, likely as singles players, while sophomore Reid Fenning will also fit strongly into the mix.

“My top four all played varsity last year,” Crist said.

Crist said that his turnout was a little thinner than he had hoped for, with 35 arriving instead of his goal of 40 or so.

“Hopefully we’ll get some more freshmen,” Crist said.

Crist said he looks forward to a good season, stating that while his team may not be “the team to beat,” the Warriors will remain competitive.

“I’ve got a pretty good group of kids, good hard-working kids,” Crist said. “This is my third year working with them, so they pretty much know what to expect.”

Mountlake Terrace didn’t lose any players from last year but welcomed a new coach in Gigi Johnson. The Hawks haven’t had much success in recent years but could be a team on the rise in the near future.