SHS boys tennis 2018 season preview
Head coach: Mark Textor (13th season); Assistant: Rich Hay
2017 record: 8-7 in 2A Olympic League (third), 8-8 overall; one doubles team to state 2A tourney
Top varsity returners: Blake Wiker (sr.), Raymond Lam (sr.), Damon Little (sr.), Thomas Hughes (sr.), Liam Payne (sr.), Brenton Barnes (jr.), Sam Frymyer (jr.), Aaron Jackson (sr.), Dustan Koch (so.)
Key newcomers: Ryan Tolberd (jr.), Henry Hughes (fr.), Nate Despain (sr.), Dallin Despain (so.)
With most pieces returning from a team that went 8-7 and placed third in the Olympic League last fall, Sequim’s boys tennis squad figures to challenge once again for one of the Olympic League’s top spots, SHS coach Mark Textor says.
This year’s version of the Wolves are getting an infusion of athletic talent from multi-sport student-athletes along with a slew of freshmen, too.
“We have a solid group, coachable with a great attitude,” Textor says. “We have a great chance to finish in the top half of the league.”
Back are Blake Wiker and Thomas Hughes, who as a doubles duo went 18-8 (including the postseason) last fall and qualified for the class 2A state tourney.
Also back are Raymond Lam and Liam Payne, who combined to win 14 singles matches in 2017, and Damon Little who teamed with Tim Porter last season to place fifth at the league tourney and earn a district tourney alternate berth.
Textor said Hughes, Little and Wiker are leaders on the court
“They’ve done a good job encouraging other kids, getting practice going with a positive tone,” he said.
Textor said the Wolves’ depth should be as good or better than last year’s team, with returning players Sam Frymeyer, Brenton Barnes, Aaron Jackson and Dustan Koch in the lineup and losing just two regulars (Porter, Kevin Meyer) to graduation in June.
Key newcomers include a trio of athletes who star in other sports, including Ryan Tolberd (soccer) and Dallin and Nate Despain (basketball), as well as freshman Henry Hughes.
“They are athletic kids who are picking it up quickly,” Textor said.
About 25 boys are out for this year’s squad.
“We have a really nice mix of freshmen, sophomore, juniors and seniors; that’s a sign of a healthy team,” Textor said.
Top league competition figures to be North Kitsap, Port Angeles, Olympic,Kingston and Sequim’s Wolves, Textor said. Last fall, North Kitsap took league honors with a 12-0 mark with Port Angeles second (9-4).
Sequim opens the 2018 season with a pair of home matches: Sept. 6 versus Port Angeles and Sept. 7 versus Klahowya.
Senior Blake Wiker looks for a return to the state 2A tourney after earning a berth (with doubles partner Thomas Hughes) in 2017. Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell
