Timberwolves remain undefeated

The Jackson boys tennis team is off to a solid start in league play.

With their win over Mariner on Sept. 28, the Timberwolves improved to 3-0 in the Western Conference South Division and 10-0 overall.

“The first part (of the season) went really well,” said Jackson coach David Hutt. “It’s nice to see the improvement in all the kids.”

Playing No. 1 singles for Jackson is sophomore Mitch Williamson, who was No. 3 singles last year. Williamson is undefeated and has lost only one set so far.

“I see the most improvement in his confidence and composure on the court,” Hutt said. “He’s not getting so frustrated.”

Williamson can play the net and finish his shots well but tends to stay back a little more than some players, Hutt added.

“He’s just an all-around player,” Hutt said. “He’s well-rounded. He plays in tournaments all the time. He works on his game consistently.”

Senior Robin Choi is playing No. 2 singles and is co-captain along with No. 3 singles player senior Kevin Taylor.

“They’ve shown great leadership,” Hutt said. “They’ve played well too.”

A pair of freshmen, Everet Wang and James Okubo, are playing doubles this season and have bolstered the Wolfpack’s depth.

The Timberwolves’ doubles lineup has not be finalized. Hutt is making changes, trying to figure out the best combinations among Rodric Pence, David Kim, Jun Son and Bruno Manfredi.

“It’s trying to get the best pairing and eventually get ready for the playoffs,” Hutt said.

Jackson has a leg up on the league title but still faces some challenges including matches against Shorewood and Kamiak. Though the Timberwolves prevailed 7-0 against both teams, several of the matches were very competitive.

“All the matches fell in our favor,” Hutt said. “I could easily see it being 4-3 for the other team. I think we have a good team. I think those teams are very capable of being us 4-3. It’ll be close.”

NOTES

STATE PLACER MISSING: Jackson’s Michael Chamerski, the league and district singles champion who took fourth at the Class 4A state tournament, isn’t playing high school tennis this season, according to coach David Hutt. Chamerski is involved in the USTA Futures program. Hutt said that Chamerski will decide in the spring on whether he wants to play high school tennis his junior year.

JACKSON DOWNS E-W: Behind the dominating play of its top two singles players, the undefeated Jackson boys tennis team edged Edmonds-Woodway Sept. 23 with a 4-3 Wesco South victory.

Mitch Williamson and Robin Choi, combined to lose just one game in their two matches and the Timberwolves’ second and third doubles teams both pulled out three-set triumphs to vault to the top of the Wesco South and take down what may be their stiffest league test this year in the Warriors.

“Edmonds is solid,” Jackson coach David Hutt said. “It’s a tribute to Mitch and Robin. Mitch may be the best player in the league so far.”

Due to a scheduling quirk, it was the only time the two teams will square off in 2009. Other than Shorecrest — their next opponent — the Timberwolves get each member of the Wesco South twice. Hutt isn’t breathing a sigh of relief that his boys see the Warriors only once, in fact he would happily take them on again.

“Our kids are real excited,” Hutt said. “It was the best match of the year. It could have gone either way. Unfortunately, we don’t play them again this year.”

Prior to the loss, Shorecrest was the only other team to knock off the Warriors in a non-league match, so Jackson may have taken control of the Wesco South with a win.