Sequim High’s girls tennis squad lost just one player to graduation from last year’s team, albeit quite a talented one.
Now playing volleyball at Boise State, Kendall Hastings earned two state 2A tournament berths in 2022 and 2023 — the only seasons state tourneys were held in the past four years, thanks to Covid — and earned top-four finishes both times.
With nearly every player eligible back for this spring, the Wolves will see each player make a move up the ladder, SHS head coach Mark Textor said.
Despite the large number of returning -players, this year’s squad is fairly young: the lineup features just two seniors: Dani Herman, who is recovering from an injury sustained in her basketball season, and veteran Sydney Hegtvedt.
Fifteen of the 26 on the roster are sophomores or freshmen.
“We’re young but it’s a good group of girls; they work really hard,” Textor said. Each of the freshmen are new to the sport, but he noted they are “very coachable” and are “catching on very fast.”
Leading the way are singles players Calleigh Thompson and Tiffany Lam. Thompson, the team’s No. 2 singles player in 2023, was 14-5 last spring and placed fifth at the Olympic League tourney. Lam, the team’s No. 3, was 8-5 last spring.
Sequim Gazette file photo by Michael Dashiell / Calleigh Thompson, Sequim’s No. 2 singles player in 2023, returns a shot in a match against Olympic on April 21. Thompson and Tiffany Lam figure to be the Wolves’ top two singles players, coach Mark Textor said.
“They will push each other all year for the top spot,” Textor said.
Both will probably keep playing singles this spring, he said, each with a shot at earning a spot at districts.
“They’re both solid players,” Textor said.
Hegtvedt and Herman teamed up in doubles last spring, going 9-7 and earning two wins at the league tourney.
Several players look strong in early season practices, Textor said, in particular Hegtvedt, junior Amara Gonzalez and sophomore Kristine Prorok.
The Wolves figure to be competitive in most matches, the SHS coach said, after placing 10-4 in league matches in 2023. North Kitsap figures to be the strongest Olympic League squad once again, Textor said, with 3A Bainbridge second and several teams — Sequim included — close behind.
The Wolves open the season at Bainbridge on March 13 and host Bremerton on March 14. Sequim is at North Kitsap on March 18 and host North Mason on March 20.
Spring sports preview: Girls tennis
Head coach: Mark Textor (16th season)
2023 record: 10-4 in Olympic League; one singles player (Kendall Hastings) to districts and state
Returners: Sydney Hegtvedt (sr.), Dani Herman (sr.), Kimberly Heintz (jr.), Keira Morey (jr.), Payton Smithson (jr.), Amara Gonzalez (jr.), Taylor Heyting (jr.), Kendall Day (jr.), Kristine Prorok (so.), Calleigh Thompson (so.), Tiffany Lam (so.), Sydney Thomas-Harris (so.), Azlynn Judd (so.)
Newcomers: Joanna Morales (jr.), Melia Nelson (jr.), Naomi Beglyakov (so.), Paloma Franco (so.), Ashton Reichner (so.), Esther Zetina-Sanchez (so.), Abbygale Brittell-Brown (fr.), Danilynn Ceriello (fr.), Sophia Greenleaf (fr.), Violet Ollerman (fr.), Lily Sparks (fr.), Sasha Yada (fr.)
2024 Sequim High girls tennis schedule
Date Opponent Time
March 13 at Bainbridge 4 p.m.
March 14 Bremerton 4 p.m.
March 18 at North Kitsap 4 p.m.
March 20 North Mason 4 p.m.
March 21 at Kingston 4 p.m.
March 26 Olympic 4 p.m.
March 28 at North Kitsap 4 p.m.
April 9 Bainbridge 4 p.m.
April 10 at Bremerton 4 p.m.
April 15 North Kitsap 4 p.m.
April 17 at North Mason 4 p.m.
April 18 Kingston 4 p.m.
April 22 at Olympic 4 p.m.
April 24 Port Angeles 4 p.m.
