Young Wolves tennis team shows progress

Sequim plays well against two top teams, sweeps Olympic

By Conor Dowley • October 2, 2019 1:30 am
Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley
Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Olympic League standings

(as of Sept. 30)

Team Lg. Over.

Bremerton 6-2 6-2

North Kitsap 5-0 5-0

Port Angeles 5-1 5-1

Klahowya 4-2 4-2

Sequim 4-3 4-3

Kingston 3-5 3-5

Olympic 2-5 2-5

North Mason 1-5 1-5

Chimacum 0-7 0-7

A week of mixed results has helped show progress for a young Sequim Wolves boys tennis team, with a 1-2 record not quite telling the full story of a week of solid performances against two of the Olympic League’s top teams in Port Angeles and North Kitsap.

On Sept. 24 the Wolves were competitive, falling 6-1 but seeing three matches go to a third tie-breaking set.

The North Kitsap meet on Sept. 25 was similar, going up against a team that Wolves’ coach Mark Textor pointed out hadn’t lost in “a long, long time” and coming away with a narrow 4-3 loss after getting swept in doubles matches but winning all three singles battles.

Two of those doubles match losses went to three sets, and either one swinging the other way could have handed the Wolves a win.

That competitive spirit was on full display on Sept. 26, with Sequim sweeping Olympic 7-0 and dropping just two sets on the day.

It was an impressive and comprehensive showing that showed the kind of development that Textor has talked about several times this season.

“We get better every time we play,” he said during the North Kitsap meet. “I’m really enjoying watching these players develop. They should really be proud.”

The week also continued an impressive run from No. 1 singles player Nico Zingaro, a senior who had previously seen relatively limited time on the court. He was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a set in his three matches.

Zingaro has only lost one match in seven this season, that loss coming in a three-set battle meet against Bremerton.

“Nico has really stepped up this season,” Textor said during the North Kitsap match. “He’s taken some big strides, and has really impressed everyone.”

Looking ahead

Sequim had a meet against North Mason in Belfair scheduled for Oct. 1. Results were not available at press time.

The Wolves have two consecutive home matches against Port Angeles (Oct. 2) and Klahowya (Oct. 3), followed by a trip to Chimacum on Oct. 7.

The team returns to Sequim on Oct. 9 to face Kingtson, then heads back out on the road on Oct. 10 for a meet against Bremerton.

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley

Nico Zingaro returns a serve in the second set of his match against North Kitsap’s Chris Schuchart on Sept. 25, which he would win 6-2 to win the match. Zingaro was Sequim’s only undefeated player on the week, not dropping a single set in three matches. Sequim Gazette photo by Conor Dowley