Satre hopes to lead Saxon tennis team to state title

Some high school athletes follow in their father’s footsteps, while others forge their own identity.

On the tennis court, Ferris High School’s Kevin Satre is happy to do both. More than 30 years after his father, Glen, roamed the courts at Ferris, the Saxon senior is hoping to lead his team to similar success.

“He was on the 1975 state championship team, which is considered our best team ever at Ferris,” Satre said. “I’ll ask him where he played on the team, what was his style, what the other guys were like and how much fun it was. I play with him once in a while still. He is the pure reason that I started playing tennis. He is the biggest influence I have. He used to play a lot. We’re both playing now and it’s a lot of fun to be able to share something like this with my dad.”

Satre is one of seven seniors on the Saxon team this year, joining fellow co-captain Whitman Hough, Bryan Lammers, Connor Roberts, Russell Hart, Collin Griffith, and doubles partner Collin Siok.

“It’s been so much fun,” said Satre, who plays both singles and doubles this season for the Saxons. “Everybody is so great on the team. We’ve been together for four years. Other guys have come and gone also, but it’s really fun to part of such a senior team.”

Satre has been a fixture on the Ferris varsity since he was a freshman, and like many who have played varsity their entire careers, Satre has seen his game evolve immensely in both singles and doubles.

“Most people would notice his volley,” said Saxon coach Brian Sachse. “He’s got much better and is much more consistent with it. That’s one aspect. I think his serve too. He’s been more consistent in his serving the last year and a half. He played doubles with John Cadagan in state last year and that’s really been a big help and boost going into this season because it’s focused him on what he needs to do.”

“I think a lot of it is maturity,” Satre said. “I have matured. When I was a freshman, I used to have trouble with my mental game on the court. Lately, it’s been a lot better. I haven’t been bothered as much by things. I also play with Collin, who calms me down anytime I need to be calmed down. I’ve been working hard the last four years for this. This is all what it’s for this year.”

“He’s really matured as a player, both in his game and ability on the court,” Sachse said. “Also mentally, he’s learning to make the easy play. He has the ability to hit the shot between his legs and over the net like you see on TV. We’ve had the conversation like Coach (former Ferris basketball head coach Wayne) Gilman would have had with his players of years ago, that we don’t need to make the fancy plays, just the easy plays. That’s been to show him that it doesn’t take a brilliant shot, just a solid, basic shot.”

This season, Satre is playing No. 1 doubles with his friend Siok. The two began the season winning the Lewiston Invitational and look forward to bigger things later in the year.

“It felt excellent,” said Satre. “To go out there in our first real competitive match and win, it was just incredible. To have that kind of chemistry and to be able to win with your best friend is just fun.”

Ferris is the two-time defending champions in the Greater Spokane League, but Satre hopes to join his dad at the top of the state ranks come May.

“With a senior team like this, I think we have a shot if we play well and take care of business,” said Satre.

Dad would certainly be proud of that.