Shorewood’s Kari Fiske proved she can flat-out whip anybody around here.
Fiske reigned as the 4A District 1 singles champion earning her first trip to state with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Kelsey Mickels of Stanwood May 18 at Stanwood High School.
“She did what we expected,” Shorewood coach Arnie Moreno said. “She’s skill-wise and talent-wise another level above the other girls. I haven’t seen anyone at her level yet.”
Fiske kicks off state tournament play today, Friday, May 25 against sophomore Julie Galbraith of Bellarmine Prep at the indoor Vancouver Tennis Complex. If Fiske wins, she’ll play the winner of Gonzaga Prep’s Anna Lambert and Shorewood’s Anna Chatilo, who earned the No. 3 berth to state from District 1.
“I definitely think she can place,” Moreno said. “She’s seen some of the girls in tournaments, at USTA juniors. She’s going to play some girls she knows something about and some new faces … I definitely think she’s potentially a top eight finisher as long as there’s no injuries or health issues.”
Fiske survived a tough opening match at districts against Lake Stevens’ Ashley Ross. Fiske won 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, but lost her first set of the season in the match.
Fiske dispatched Cascade’s Madison Everett, 6-1, 6-1 to reach the final.
Fiske is the first Shorewood player to win a district title since German exchange student Verena Sackl did it in 2005.
Chatilo, a sophomore, bounced back from a 6-4, 6-2 opening round loss to Emily Starr of Snohomish to win three straight matches to earn her first state berth.
In the consolation bracket, Chatilo beat Jackson’s Jennifer Wilson 6-0, 6-1 on Thursday, and Cascade’s Everett 6-0, 6-1 on Friday. She earned her trip to state with a dominating 6-1, 6-1 win over Lake Stevens’ Ross on Friday.
Chatilo’s ability to change speeds and use spin when she went up to the net proved to be the difference, Moreno said.
Moreno said Chatilo’s three-and-a-half-hour marathon victory over Rachel Bhak of Jackson in the Western Conference South Divisional tournament marked a turning point in her game.
“I think she came out from the Wesco South tournament a better player,” Moreno said. “She’s peaking at just the right time.”
“She definitely had some fire in her eyes,” Moreno said. “She said she wanted this really bad. She was just awesome that second day, she knew she needed to win two straight matches to go to state.”
Shorewood’s doubles representatives at districts, Elle MacGeorge and Seneca Shafer, were eliminated after two matches.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
