CHS seniors Sage Renninger (left) and Payton Aparicio return to seek a third-straight Olympic League doubles crown, and their first trip to state. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Come out swinging.
It’s what Ken Stange’s Coupeville High School tennis teams have always done, and nothing is different this spring.
Despite losing their top three singles players to graduation, and seeing one of their better young players hop over to track and field, the Wolves are fully intent on staying on top of the Olympic League.
Coupeville, which jumps to the new six-team North Sound Conference next year, has never lost a league tilt in three seasons in its current home, going 15-0 on its way to a trio of titles.
Powered by two-time league doubles champs Payton Aparicio and Sage Renninger, the Wolves are more than ready to defend their crown.
“One goal is to win the league title, and exit the Olympic League having gone four for four, in terms of league titles,” Stange said. “I think we have just enough firepower to do that.
“We are 16 strong,” he added. “It takes 11 for us to field a varsity squad, so we have to stay healthy this year, especially at the top of the line-up.”
And there is little doubt as to who sits atop the depth chart, as Aparicio and Renninger “have taken the reins and are leading the team with warm-ups and team-building.”
The duo missed a trip to the state tourney by a single slot as juniors, finishing second at districts in a year when only one team advanced.
This time around, District 3 netters get better odds, and Stange would love to see his senior leaders be rewarded with a trip to Eastern Washington.
“We’re hoping that the combination of hard work, last year’s graduation at Charles Wright, and two spots to state from districts will give Sage and Payton the chance to punch a well-deserved ticket to state,” he said. “If they make it, they will have a good chance at earning a medal.
“With all due respect to past doubles teams, Payton and Sage are easily the best female tandem I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach,” Stange added. “They’ve occupied the #1 doubles slot for their entire high school tennis career and each year, they pile up more wins than the last.
“It’s our last ride together, so to speak, and I’m honored to be a part of it. I’m excited for the opportunities they have created for themselves.”
While the star duo nab the headlines, Coupeville also returns seniors Maggie Crimmins, Kameryn St Onge, Claire Mietus and Heather Nastali, as well as sophomores Avalon Renninger, Tia Wurzrainer, Jillian Mayne and Zara Bradley.
Freshman Genna Wright, a First-Team All-Conference player in soccer, heads up the newcomers.
The early matches may be a bit of mix and match, as Stange juggles his lineup, looking for the best fit.
“We will be playing some untested people at the varsity level,” he said. “This happens most years, but we graduated all three of our singles players (in Valen Trujillo, Bree Daigneault and Fanny Deprelle).
“There will be a steep learning curve there.”
The strength of the team will be in doubles, and with four varsity slots compared to three in singles, CHS can win a lot of matches if their tandems click.
Beyond the regular season, which opens Monday, Mar. 12 at home against 2A Port Angeles, the Wolves want those duos to play on as long as possible.
“Another goal is to advance as many people to the district tourney as possible,” Stange said.
“With a likely three league tourney entries in both singles and doubles (top four advance to district), I’d like to see at least two, or maybe three, doubles teams advance to districts.”
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