U-Hi Will Need Serious Rebuilding
GSL girls tennis
Last year’s Greater Spokane League girls tennis third-place finisher, University High, is starting over. Central Valley could move up and take its place.
The Titans graduated seven players instrumental in their showing last year, including a state-placing singles player and state-qualifying doubles team.
“It’s going to be kind of a building year,” said coach Trisha Roeber. “We played CV and didn’t do well.”
Although the sixth-place Bears graduated several players as well, an incoming sophomore at number one singles has helped solidify a team with seven returnees.
Defending champion Ferris, Mead and Gonzaga Prep are among this year’s GSL favorites.
Two returnees anchor Titans
Two returning varsity players anchor the University girls team.
Senior Genny Hartman moves from number four to number one singles. Junior Alissa Pittinger goes from doubles to number three on the singles ladder.
Gretchen Smith, who played as a sophomore, but not last year, returns and will be second singles.
“She’s a pleasant surprise,” said second-year coach Roeber. “We’re glad to have her.”
Junior Rachelle Realing is the other singles player. Returning doubles player, senior Nicolle Malloy, is teamed with junior Caroline McGowan.
Seniors Jesse Spear and Janell Piche, juniors Annie Byers and Marinda O’Connell, sophomores Heather Blair and Kayla Stoeser are other doubles prospects.
“I see a lot of potential and have high hopes,” said Roeber. “If we really focus we could do well.”
CV welcomes sophomore addition
The addition of sophomore Aaryn Volkman has given CV tennis a lift.
“She’s tough,” said coach Stan Chalich of his incoming club player.
Her addition means that returning senior singles players Katie Van Houten, Christine Russell and Becky Deehr fill the other spots.
Others in doubles are senior Gina Polignoni, juniors Karen Kager, Ellen Kager, Audrey Routt, plus Aura Lee Trier and Liz Wargo.
“All are back from last year,” said Chalich.
Others vying for berths are seniors Jessie Walters and Jessyman Tichy, sophomores Kelly Renslow, Holly Sprank, Hannah Allen, Alaisha Frimoth and Dori Davenport.
“I’m hoping we’ll be all right,” said Chalich. “If the doubles teams come to the net, we’ll be tough.”
Bulldogs deeper than a year ago
Gonzaga Prep graduated a singles player and doubles team from last year’s third-place squad.
But with so much depth returning, especially in the middle of the rotations, second-year coach Donna Lenseigne says the Bullpups have a team for every occasion.
“We only lost three players and all the rest have experience,” said Lenseigne. “Our players have more possibilities to go (back-and-forth) from singles to doubles, and our team will be stronger because of it.”
Valley members include senior number one singles player Kendra Leyda, junior Alecia Nelson, who was a doubles player last year and sophomore Anna Carroll.
Singles candidates are junior Wendy Lynn, sophomore Molly Maixner, freshman Lisa VanGemert.
Seniors are Jennie Beyer, Erin Janosky, Krista Kubiak, Kristin Kacey, Jennifer Blair, Kara Clavios and Allie Powers.
, DataTimes