Shorewood looks strong in singles

Chatilo, Bang lead T-birds

By Tony Dondero

Enterprise reporter

Led by senior Anna Chatilo, a two-time state qualifier, the Shorewood girls tennis team will field a solid lineup once again.

Chatilo, who finished third in 4A District 1 in 2007 and 2008, “had a much better tournament” the second-time she went to state last year, Shorewood coach Arnie Moreno said.

The Wesco South has a strong group of singles players with Elaine Baik of Kamiak and Kira Kearsley of Edmonds-Woodway contenders to place at state, but Chatilo figures to be close behind.

Next in the lineup is Shorewood’s No. 2 singles player, MacKenzie Bang, who qualified for state in doubles as freshman and has developed into a better player as a sophomore.

“She looks stronger this year physically and mentally,” Moreno said.

Battling for the No. 3 and No. 4 singles slots are sophomore Sara Oh and senior Michelle Beetham. Seniors Robina Sandhu and Christine Yang are also in the mix for a singles spot.

“(There’s) a lot of strong competition going on (within the team),” Moreno said. “I feel like we’re going to be pretty solid. … Doubles is big question mark for us since we lost so many kids from last year.”

The three varsity doubles teams will include a group of five seniors: Hannah Yuen, Vicky Kim, Marina Lutsky, Yang and Sandhu.

“Those girls have been playing doubles the last three years,” Moreno said. “Very aggressive players. I think they’re going to come around and help solidify our doubles.”

Moreno has an impressive newcomer in freshman Sarah Kim, who has been playing for a long time.

“We’re excited about her,” he said. “She’s going to fill-in in singles or doubles. A very strong player.”

Edmonds-Woodway led by Kearsley, Kamiak led by Baik and Jackson are the top teams in the Western Conference South Division, but Shorewood should be competitive with them. The T-birds had their three-year streak of league titles snapped last year by Edmonds-Woodway.

“We’re going to be in every match,” Moreno said. “We have the ability to compete for the league championship. Like the boys, it depends on doubles. We’re going to be really solid in singles.”