Seniors Bring State Experience To Riverside’S Girls Squad

Small school tennis

Many young players had the chance to get some varsity experience in the ‘98 season.

The Riverside High girls tennis team lost 1998 State 2A champion Bernice Stime to graduation last season.

But seniors Val Jorgensen and Aleshia Oglesbee bring state experience to the Rams this spring. The duo finished sixth at state in 1998 and will be counted on to lead a young Riverside team.

The Rams’ boys team has a strong senior class but it drops off after that, said coach Jerry Nermyr. He expects Riverside to finish in the middle of the Great Northern League.

Lakeside’s boys and girls teams have new coaches. The boys are under the direction of Matt Goodwin, a senior at Eastern Washington University who coached the Bellingham High girls last spring before transferring from Western Washington University. Rosemary Clocherty takes over the Eagles girls.

Deer Park’s boys and girls teams both have more experience this spring. The Stags girls were second to last in league last year and the boys were last.

Riverside girls have new coach

First-year Rams coach Brent Monroe says depth will be a strong point for his squad this season. Many young players had the chance to get some varsity experience in the ‘98 season.

Juniors Kaile Hansen and Becca Hassler and sophomore Brandy Paul will be key players along with Rogers transfer Leah Tieman.

“The younger players have to step up and show leadership,” Monroe said. “I feel we can challenge for the league title if our younger girls can progress at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.”

Riverside boys have eight seniors

Seniors Tyler Whittle and Mike Sheffler are the team’s top two returners. Whittle played No. 3 singles last season and Sheffler was No. 4. They will start the season playing singles but might team up down the road.

Other returning seniors are Adam Starr, Alex Thompson, Ben Kromer, Luke Baumgarten and Tom Watson.

Newcomers include senior Dusty Johnson and freshmen Alex Hallenius, Billy Rask, Jeffrey Allen, Jeremy Norris and Noah Hassler.

“We have a key group of seniors that have played for a number of years,” Nermyr said. “But there’s been very little varsity experience amongst this group.”

He said he will concentrate on doubles this spring because that’s where the Rams have the best chance of making it to state.

Lakeside girls building

Clocherty has a tough act to follow in replacing Sue Fisk as head coach but says she’s excited about the opportunity.

Fisk won the Northeast A League from 1992-97, won district titles from ‘92-94, won state in 1994 and was third at state in ‘93.

The Eagles have just two returners, seniors Jennifer Purkhiser and Cathleen Sassman. The two played No. 3 doubles for the team last season.

Another senior, Zandra Rice played some varsity matches in ‘98.

Lakeside has a strong group of juniors vying for positioning. They are Sara Anderson, Jessica Hickman, Bonnie Johnson Bonnie Severin, Nicole Schofield and Megan Trudnowski.

“It’s a building year and I believe the girls will rise to the challenge,” Clocherty said. “With each match we’ll gain the experience we need to build a great team.”

Lakeside boys young

Goodwin knows he will be challenged in his first year.

Only eight players were out early in the week but he expected a couple more to join, including senior Nate Maruca, who’s taking up tennis after competing for the Eagles statequalifying basketball team this winter.

Junior Jake Loeffler, who went to districts in doubles last spring, looks to be the Eagles’ No. 1 singles player.

Junior Rob Lafontaine will probably play No. 2 singles. He played mainly singles last year.

Sophomore Ryan Ataide and freshman Dustin Smith likely will take up the Nos. 3 and 4 singles positions.

Other varsity players are sophomore Spencer Nervig and freshmen Luke Clark, Brent Felton and Brian Tellez.

“We’ve been starting with the basics, we’re concentrating on the fundamentals,” Goodwin said. “I expect it to be a big learning experience and I expect to see a lot of improvement.”

DP girls have five returners

The Stags girls have experienced players in their top singles and doubles spots. Senior Annika Herbes will be the team’s top singles player and seniors Andrea Newton and Michelle McElreath make up the No. 1 doubles team.

Senior Melissa Justice is No. 2 singles and junior Courtney Henry is new to varsity and will play No. 3.

Other newcomers are juniors Amy O’Keefe, Liz West and Tori Reichers, all of whom can play singles or doubles. Sophomores Erin Brown and Crystal Scharnhorst are new to the varsity, too, and likely will play doubles.

DP’s strength is in the depth of its singles lineup, coach Corey Anderson said.

“This year should be one of the strongest years for us,” he said. “We should make a very strong showing in league.”

Stags boys led by seniors

Top returners for the Deer Park boys are seniors Ryan Mayberry, Jesse Collins and Jon Naunch. Another senior, Jake White is expected to contribute as well.

St. George’s returns eight

The Dragons are under first-year coach Kim Hoover, who has inherited eight returning players.

Sophomore Katy DePonty heads the list. She won the District 7 and 9 championship last season and finished sixth at state in doubles.

Key boys players are seniors Jaime Holte and Brent Nielson.