Coupeville Sports

   William Nelson is one of several key returning players for the CHS boys’ tennis squad. (John Fisken photos)

Koby Schreiber is one of four freshmen on this year’s team.

They have big shoes to fill and a big target on their chest.

And Ken Stange would have it no other way.

As the Coupeville High School boys’ tennis squad prepares to defend its 1A Olympic League championship, their battle-hardened coach is ready for whatever comes.

“The boys are excited to defend their league title,” he said. “It should be more difficult than last year.

“If we are able to defend, it will be all the more sweet.”

To stay atop the league, the Wolves will need to stare down Klahowya and Chimacum (and any Port Townsend mercenaries hiding on the Cowboy roster).

Coupeville is scheduled to face both foes three times apiece, though last year balky ferries, blustery weather and uncooperative schedule-makers left them only playing Chimacum once.

Still, the Wolves went a flawless 4-0 in league play when they were allowed on the court, then swept the top two singles slots at the league tourney.

Both of those players, Sebastian Davis and Connor McCormick, are gone, taken away by graduation, which will leave a hole at the top of the roster.

“We have some untested players who will vie for the three singles spots,” Stange said. “The competition should be difficult, and we should see some positive results as the season progresses.”

By contrast, Coupeville should be very strong on the doubles side of the ledger, where they return their top two teams intact.

Senior duo John McClarin and Joseph Wedekind and junior tandem Joey Lippo and William Nelson are both postseason-tested and looking for more.

Two other returning letter winners, seniors Jimmy Myers and Grey Rische, are expected to form a third doubles unit.

Junior Nick Etzell, who also lettered last year, leads a pack of players fighting for the singles slots or a position on the #4 doubles team.

In the mix are seniors Aiden Crimmins and Nick Blalock, sophomores Jakobi Baumann, Nile Lockwood, Jaschon Baumann and Tiger Johnson and freshmen Mason Grove, Koby Schreiber, Zach Ginnings and Elliot Johnson.

However it plays out, Stange, as always, is as concerned with personal improvement as much as winning titles.

“Our goals are to defend the league title, everyone grows their game, everyone has fun and everyone is an academic superstar,” he said.

“We want to earn as many spots in the district tourney as possible,” Stange added. “The season will be a success if we’re able to defend the title.

“Failing that, we will be successful if each and every player works his tail off.”