Kodiaks tennis teams return for 2019 campaign

The 2019 Cascade High School boys and girls tennis team. Back Row from left: Zac Holton, Avery Jacobson, Olivia Capellini, Vrushika Doshi, Ava Northrup, Chloe Palmer, Kolby Hunt, Austin McElravy and James Dickinson. Front Row from left: Leora Aurillio, Kayden Peterson, Kaitlin Hesse, Lily Keziah, Xitlali Espinosa, Cooper Bryan, Hans Schlyer, Megan Evans and Rory Swaboda. Not Pictured: Stella Johnson and Dorothy Espinosa. Photo by Al Stover/ECHO

Posted Wednesday, March 6, 2019 10:19 am

Al Stover

During the weekday afternoon, the sound of rackets hitting tennis balls echo from the Cascade High School gym - or the Icicle River Middle School gym, depending on the day.

The sounds are from the Cascade High School boys and girls tennis team, who are back in full swing for the season.

Last season the Kodiaks placed 10th as a team in the state championships due to the efforts of the two doubles teams in the tournament. Head Coach Mark Hassinger returns for another season while Tiana Peterson once again is the assistant coach.

Hassinger explained the weather has forced the athletes to hold practices indoors. Despite the weather and circumstances, he noted the 35 athletes have great attitudes.

The Kodiak boys' varsity lineup will feature new faces in the single and doubles spots as all seven starters from the 2018 team graduated last June.

Two athletes who will likely step up in varsity roles are returners Josh Pedersen and Kayden Pederson. Former JV players Torin Brine and Quinn Priebe will also move up to varsity.

The girls varsity lineup will have five returners, including Megan Evans, who competed in the 2018 state tournament with double partners Maddie Vandel. Other returning athletes include Stella Johnson, Kolby Hunt, Molly Wiser and Dorothy Espinosa.

“That lineup looks pretty good on paper,” Hassinger added.

Hassinger said the athletes spent the first couple of weeks working on footwork, basics and getting full control of the racket. He noted that one of the challenges of practicing indoors is the team cannot practice accuracy and serving in a gym in the same way they could on tennis courts.

“We’re doing the best with what we’ve got,” Hassinger added. “This is the latest we’ve practiced indoors. I’m excited, the kids are working hard and they want to get better.”

The Kodiak are scheduled to begin their season 2B Connell on March 16 in a nonleague contest. They opened their conference schedule against Cashmere on March 19.

“We’ve got a good group of kids and I’m looking forward to the season,” Hassinger said.