Tiger Johnson and Co. are learning under fire in the ultra-competitive Emerald City League. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Keep fightin’.
That’s the mantra for the Coupeville High School boys tennis team this fall, as it navigates the extremely-dangerous waters of the Emerald City League.
Dropped into the most brutal 1A conference in existence, full of ritzy private school piranha, who employ aces who play year-round on private courts, the scrappy public school from the sticks is holding its own.
Case in point, Friday’s 5-0 loss to Seattle Academy at the swanky Amy Yee Tennis Center.
The Cardinals are perennial state title contenders and a pristine 7-0 this season.
While the loss dropped Coupeville to 2-3 this year, the scrappy Wolves, playing under unusual (for them) circumstances, never backed down.
Just like their coach expects.
“Rough day, but they played their asses off,” said CHS tennis guru Ken Stange. “The guys have improved a lot, and the advanced competition, while laying down quite a beating, allows our players to grow.
“I’m excited for Monday’s match.”
That bout will be the second and final meeting with arch-rival South Whidbey, and it’s set to play out on Coupeville’s courts starting at 3:30 PM.
The Wolves knocked off the Falcons in Langley in the season opener, the first time in 14 seasons the CHS boys have won that match-up.
Now, they’re looking for a season sweep of the only other public school playing in the eight-team ECL.
Monday’s match will be on outdoor courts, as is par for the course for Coupeville.
Or, it normally is.
Facing off with Seattle Academy offered the Wolves the chance to play at a tennis center which hosts many of the postseason tourneys.
“The Amy Yee Tennis Center is an indoor facility, and most of our players got to experience indoor tennis for the first time,” Stange said. “If our island had indoor tennis, it’d be heaven on earth for me.”
Complete Friday results:
Varsity:
1st Singles — Jakobi Baumann lost to Will Norden 6-1, 6-2
2nd Singles — Drake Borden lost to Josh Davydov 6-3, 6-1
1st Doubles — Zach Ginnings/Jacob Burke lost to Orson Smith/Mack Dougan 6-3, 6-1
2nd Doubles — Mason Grove/James Wood lost to Will Sieler/Dimitri Vladimir 6-0, 6-1
3rd Doubles — Jaschon Baumann/Tiger Johnson lost to Tate Gibbons/Blake Calvo 6-0, 6-2
Coupeville Sports 
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