Friday, March 29, 2024

Cascade tennis team raring to succeed in 2018

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By any measure, it was tough on the Cascade Tennis team in 2017. Their home courts were removed due to school construction, so the team was forced to practice and play elsewhere.
The traditionally strong girls finished 1-7 in league and 4-10 overall. The boys finished 0-8 in league and 1-13 overall.
Back to coach this year is Mark Hassinger, who basically took a year off. He said they are super excited to have new home courts this season.
“The courts are well done. There are six of them. That will be great. I was worried the numbers would be down because of that. The numbers are up again and we’re all super excited. Now, if it would stop snowing and we could get outside to play,” Hassinger said.
Hassinger said they have several returning players this season.
“We lost some to graduation. It’s tough to lose those seniors who know the game well. We have a nice incoming freshman class who is learning the game. They are new to the sport, but some very athletic,” Hassinger said. “We had couple players take last year off and now they are back. We have some returning players and lots of new players.”
There are actually more boys turning out than girls, which is unusual. Hassinger said there are 35 kids turning out. Historically, Cascade has had a strong girls team.
“Like in all sports, success breeds success. I’m also starting a junior program. I ran a junior camp last year and will run it again this year, trying to get kids playing earlier. That that really the key. We have to get kids playing earlier,” Hassinger said.
He’s hoping the new courts will help get the team back on track.
“I can’t help but think it will help. Just having a home base. Six courts right there in our back yard,” he said.
There is a big potential issue for matches because there are no lights.
“That is an issue. I’m a little anxious and worried. Almost all of our matches, we’ve had to turn the lights on. I’m not sure how that will go. My fingers are crossed,” Hassinger said. “It’s hard to tell your JV players, who are new to the sport, they don’t have a match because we ran out of time. Hopefully, we can formulate a plan to try to scrap together some funding to get some lights over there. I think it really needs it.”
Most of the time, Hassinger said they chose the varsity spots through challenge matches.
“Sometimes, it shakes out pretty easy, where it’s pretty determined who are the number one and two players. Sometimes people like to play doubles rather than singles, so they take themselves out of the mix. You have to run challenge matches to see who’ll be in there,” he said.
There are some returning players with experience, but also some new players who could start the season as the number eight singles and finish as the number three.
“We have Finn Johnson returning along with Sam Keziah. We have some new boys, Raven Dawson, foreign exchange student Dylan. Exciting about that,” Hassinger said. “Megan Evans is back. She took the year off. We’re excited she is back. Hitting the ball really well.”
Last season, the Cashmere girls won state. Hassinger said they always have a strong team, though he doesn’t know how many are returning.
“The Caribou Trail is a strong league. We’re well represented at state. You think of some of the private schools that compete at state, then a public school wins it. The CTL competes. Chelan and Cashmere have been state champions. We’ve gotten second three different times. It’s good competition,” Hassinger said.
Cascade opens the season today at home against the Wenatchee JV. Next Monday, they are scheduled to host Pateros. Next Tuesday, they play at Entiat.
Ian Dunn can be reached at 548-5286 or editor@leavenworthecho.com.

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