Junior doubles ace John McClarin will be one of the Wolf captains this season. (John Fisken photos)
Jared Helmstadter lets rip.
Blessed with a deep, experienced roster, Coupeville High School boys’ tennis guru Ken Stange is entering a new season with one goal — for this squad to mirror last spring’s Wolf girls’ netters and put a new banner up in the gym.
“For the varsity squad, a league title should be in order,” Stange said. “Honestly, if we fail to win the league title, it will be a disappointing season. We are very deep.
“It will be a successful season if we go undefeated in league play,” he added. “The kids at CHS love the chance to win league titles. The girls picked one up last spring. The boys are ready to hang one up for themselves!”
Leading the charge is senior Sebastian Davis, who will slide up a slot to replace the graduated Aaron Curtin as the team’s #1 singles player.
Davis went 6-0 in league play last season, then pushed Curtin, who advanced to state, hard in the postseason.
“He is the heir apparent to the league singles title,” Stange said. “He is ready to pick up where Aaron left off.”
While the second and third singles slot are up for grabs (“We will be inexperienced, but I imagine the other schools in our league will face the same dilemma. As long as our 2 and 3 can display confidence and consistency, we should be good”) the Wolves are stacked at doubles.
“I’ve never had this sort of doubles depth on the boys’ team,” said Stange, who is in his 11th season at CHS. “They are all bigger and stronger, and there has been a noticeable rise in consistent play.”
The Wolves return 10 lettermen, with Davis joined by seniors Jared Helmstadter, Connor McCormick and Loren Nelson, juniors Joseph Wedekind, John McClarin, Grey Rische and Jimmy Myers and sophomores Joey Lippo and William Nelson.
Seniors Garrett Compton and Cole Payne (making a jump from football) and sophomore Nick Etzell are expected to fight for court time, as well.
Regardless of how the various varsity slots are filled, Stange is looking for a team-wide commitment in more ways than one.
“I want my boys to work on more than sharpening their skills. I want them to be a supportive group that challenges each other,” he said. “I want competition in practice so we can carry it over to matches.
“I want my players to be happy when they lose a challenge match in practice, because I want them to understand that our team is better when we beat the stuffing out of each other in practice,” Stange added. “Last season, the girls’ team found that family feel.
“The boys have always been a together sort of bunch, but I want them to take it to the next level. I think that’s how we can win.”
Before they get to league rivals Klahowya and Port Townsend/Chimacum, the Wolves will be tested in non-conference matches by top-level programs, always a good way to sharpen skills.
“Beating South Whidbey and ATM, that will be challenging,” Stange said. “For the newcomers, learn the game and become consistent players.
“Our doubles teams, while taking quite a beating last year, will benefit from the combination of another year’s experience and attrition from the other schools,” he added. “On top of a league title and a strong showing in the league tourney, it would be a special treat if we could sneak someone (or a pair) though districts and on to state.”
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