Williamson prevails

STANWOOD — It was a match that had all the trappings of a state tournament match: Big crowd. Big expectations. Big forehands.

And Mitch Williamson was feeling nervous.

“Everyone was telling me good luck and there was definitely some pressure,” Williamson said about the lead-up to his

match with Stanwood’s Gergo Muller.

But the Jackson senior shrugged off some early nerves and dispatched Muller 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, handing the Stanwood singles player his first loss of the season and leading the Timberwolves to a 7-0 sweep of the Spartans.

“I think it was the first time in a long time that he had that anxious, nervousness feeling,” Jackson head coach David Hutt said of Williamson. “He was excited, but he was also like ‘What is going to happen today.'”

Williamson, the early favorite to win the Wesco singles title, and Muller, a Hungarian exchange student taking Wesco by surprise, knew very little about each other going into the match. Both were undefeated and neither really had been challenged through their first eight matches. Hutt compared the match to what players encounter at the state tournament, where they often go against opponents they know very little about.

Then there was the hype. Close to 50 people crowded around the No. 1 court at Stanwood High School, many to see the Hungarian exchange student face his first big test.

“You don’t get a crowd like that all year,” Hutt said. “You have people crowded over there by one court, looking and watching. It’s a lot of fun.

“No one comes out to watch tennis.”

Williamson, who admitted after the match that he didn’t know how to play Muller at first, lost the first two games to the big-hitting Muller, including having his service broken in the first game. But Williamson settled down, steadied his nerves and started to climb back into the match. Williamson went back to the basics and won five of the next six games and showed why he’s one of the favorites to win a state singles title.

“I was just trying to focus on keeping the ball in and when I had an opportunity to step in I’d try to hit a winner,” Williamson said.

But Muller clawed back, breaking Williamson’s serve and then holding serve to even the set at 5-5. After splitting the next two games, Williamson took over in the tiebreaker, taking the first four points en route to a 7-3 win in the tiebreaker and a first-set victory.

“I thought Mitch was defensive at first, but once he got used to (Muller’s) power, he responded really well,” Stanwood assistant coach Ron Shanander said.

Muller was his own worst enemy in the first set. A number of unforced errors and failed drop shots helped unravel his chance to take the first set.

“He tried a few silly shots; a few drop shots and they didn’t work,” Shanander said. “Mitch is way too fast for that. They didn’t get over anyway.”

Williamson kept the pressure on in the second set and won the final five games to take the set 6-2.

Hutt said he thought that Williamson’s court coverage was the key to the victory.

“Mitch did a great job with court coverage,” Hutt said. “and Gergo, I’m sure, hasn’t had guys hit some of those balls back that Mitch was getting to. All of a sudden he’s playing a guy who’s hitting those winners back.”

Shanander agreed: “Mitch returned some shots that shouldn’t have been returned.”

Jackson also got big wins from singles players Patrick Cung, Ben Mietzner and Grant Follis, but Hutt was really impressed with his doubles teams, which were an unorthodox mix because of injury and missing players.

“Being able to go out there and perform like this today really made us feel good,” Hutt said.

Shanander said he was thought Eric Saekow was impressive in the defeat to Mietzner. After losing the first set 6-2, Saekow battled in the second set before losing in a tiebreaker 7-1.

“I thought Eric played the best set of the season,” Shanander said.

At Stanwood H.S.

Singles-Mitch Williamson (J) def. Gergo Muller 7-6 (7-3), 6-2; Peter Cung (J) def. Jonathan Wolf 6-4, 6-2; Ben Mietzner (J) def. Eric Saekow 6-2, 7-6 (7-1); Grant Follis (J) def. Riley Swenson 7-5, 6-3. Doubles-James Okubo-Chan (J) def. Frank Medlicott-Sean Dolan 6-0, 6-1; Kim-Bae (J) def. Hyrum Andelin-Sand 6-4, 6-0; Haugen-George (J) def. Kram-Graham 6-4, 6-3. Records–Jackson 8-0 in league, 10-0 overall. Stanwood 6-1, 7-2.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.