Impoving Chiefs tennis aims high

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake High School tennis is undoubtedly building itself into a competitive program on both the boys' and girls' sides of the net.

Now, the key for head coach Jon Wrigley is to maintain their recent run of successes and improved play as he heads into his seventh year in charge of the boys and his third leading the girls.

In 2010, the boys program finished 2010 with an 8-6 overall dual record and despite not advancing further than the first weekend of the post season it was obvious that they had turned a competitive corner.

With five returning players and a solid core of new players to look at, Wrigley can only be optimistic with what the future could potentially hold.

"Our depth has been what has carried us and is a strength again this season," Wrigley said. "We have boys who have logged in hours and hours on the court.  Our junior varsity has been really successful the past three years and it shows with our ability to put a deep team on the courts."

The returnees for Wrigley are Conner Koreis, Tyler Knapp, Levi Huddleston, Josh Black, and Nat Mengist.

It's now a matter of the coach trying to figure out who will lead the ladder as he has a solid core of consistent talent to asses.

"This is the first time in four years that I have not had a clear top player," Wrigley said. "Knapp is eager to take the top spot this year, but there is not a huge gap between my top four players."

Despite the questions still needing answers, Wrigley's team is taking shape.

"Currently Tyler is playing first singles after having a winning record at third last year," Wrigley said. "Conner is at second again this year and he also had a winning record there."

Huddleston returns at first doubles with Josh Black moving up from second doubles to form a duo with him.

Mengist who had a 10-3 record in doubles last season moves up one spot to second doubles this year.

"Huddleston is so low key on the court, but he is driven to win," Wrigley said. "Fundamentally there are not too many players who can top him in doubles. An opposing coach referred to Nat as 'the Beast' after a match last year.  He is outgoing on and off the court a leader on the team and a solid doubles player.  He started as the last person on the team as a freshmen, a true example of why you don't cut players."

New Chiefs on the roster include, Chris Jones, Fabrizio Delgado, Matthew Schafer, Nathan Sanchez, Dallas Pryor, Bryce Perez, Harris Turner, and Tiernan Hall who will get their first taste of Big 9 competition.

"Wenatchee, if everyone returns, is the most talented team in the state absolutely loaded with state level players," Wrigley said. "Richland is stocked with solid group of club players as usual.  We are a solid team, the season will come down to can we win the close matches.  I think there is going to be many matches that come down to the last court in our league." 

Four Moses Lake girls return to the Chiefs and will aim to build off a competitive 4-10 season that marked a great improvement from a winless 2009 campaign.

Jessica Homesley, Courtney Kunjara, Amanda Hart, and Annalise Odegaard will present a strong nucleus to combine with newcomers Sierra Uhlinger, Alyssa Tucker, Becca Byam, Micayla Strickland, Makena Jansen, Marki Koreis, Ece Yilmaz, and Victoria Maeirs.

"We are getting more athletic the past few seasons and our returning four all had success last year so they have confidence when it counts," Wrigley said. "We lost six of the top ten, and five of the top six off of the JV from last season so depth is a concern. Many girls are getting their first look at varsity competition this spring."

Despite his concerns with experienced depth, Wrigley has some players to count on for some big play if all goes well.

"Courtney will be playing first singles up from first doubles last year and Homesley is up two singles spots to second singles this year," Wrigley said. "Our third doubles team of Hart and Odegaard moves up to the top spot this year."

Wrigley cites Kunjara's athleticism and experience playing three sports and Homesley's patience.

"She is willing to be out there as long as it takes to get her opponent to break," Wrigley said of Homesley.

The coach is also looking forward to the play of his top doubles team.

"This is a solid doubles team that clicked last season," Wrigley said. "They are aggressive and coachable they have the potential to do some great things on the court."

Wenatchee may be the Big 9 team to beat and Moses Lake has to answer some of its questions for the girls to challenge for a top spot.

"How fast can we get to varsity speed is the question," Wrigley said. "What I do know is we have a competitive group of girls who are bought in to improving.

"I expect both teams to compete and see where things shake out when it is done."

MOSES LAKE CHIEFS

Head coach: Jon Wrigley (seventh year for boys, third for girls)

2010 overall record: Boys - 8-6; Girls - 4-10

2010 league record: same

2010 postseason: none

Returning players: Boys - five; Girls - four

BOYS ROSTER: SENIORS - Conner Koreis, Chris Jones, Fabrizio Delgado, Nathan Sanchez, Dallas Pryor, and Nat Mengist; JUNIOR - Tyler Knapp, Levi Huddleston, Matthew Schafer, and Bryce Perez; SOPHOMORES - Harris Turner and Tiernan Hall.

GIRLS ROSTER: SENIORS - Jessica Homesley and Makena Jansen; JUNIORS - Amanda Hart, Annalise Odegaard, Sierra Uhlinger, Alyssa Tucker, Becca Byam, Micayla Strickland, and Victoria Maeirs; SOPHOMORES - Marki Koreis, Ece Yilmaz, and Courtney Kunjara.

ALSO IN THE COLUMBIA BASIN

WILSON CREEK DEVILS

Head coach: Mike Ottis (28th yea)

2010 overall record: Boys - 0-13, Girls - 1-12

2010 league record: Not applicable

2010 postseason: None

Returning players: None

BOYS ROSTER: JUNIORS - Sergio Alvarez, Logan Crane, and Adolfo Fernandez.

GIRLS ROSTER: JUNIOR - Ziba Atak; SOPHOMORES - Caroline Kiesl and Brandi Bunnell; FRESHMEN - Clarissa Hansen and Samantha Dowers.

OUTLOOK - Low numbers in 2010 did not allow for coach Mike Ottis to field a full team thus both the boys and girls team struggled to win in dual action.

Only the girls won a match out of the Devils' 13 regular season duals but a new year means new hopes.

"I am very encouraged with my team this year," Ottis said. "Although all are first year players with the exception of our young lady from Germany, they seem to be picking up the game quickly and are eager to learn."

Wilson Creek will battle it out with other Central Washington B league rivals Pateros/Brewster, Entiat, Lake Roosevelt, White Swan, Liberty Bell, and Oroville in hopes of putting out a competitive unit.

"As far as winning a ton of matches, I think only time will tell," Ottis said. "Because of their lack of experience, I expect the beginning of the season to be a bit rougher than the end."

Three boys that have entered the fold are newcomers to the program while the five girls may be led by German foreign exchange student, Caroline Kiesel.

"We do have Caroline that has experience and is a good and consistent stroker," Ottis said. "I haven't had the opportunity to see how she responds in a match setting, but she does very well in practice."