Still on the mend after back surgery, longtime Coupeville High School tennis coach Ken Stange is back on the courts, though not hitting as much as normal. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
Junior netters Tia Wurzrainer (left) and Avalon Renninger, the team’s #1 doubles duo, lead the Wolves.
You can’t keep a good coach down.
Though he’s still recovering from spinal fusion surgery after a fall from a ladder, Coupeville High School girls tennis coach Ken Stange is back on the court.
While he’s limited on how much hitting he can do this spring, the longtime Wolf net guru has help from Drake Borden, an ace boys player pulling manager duty.
Also, as CHS moves into a new league, Stange can rely on his top returning players to help guide the newcomers.
Juniors Tia Wurzrainer and Avalon Renninger inherit the #1 doubles slot, replacing the graduated Sage Renninger and Payton Aparicio.
After finishing third at districts during their sophomore season, the duo are back and ready to take the next step on the success chart.
“We have strong leadership in Avalon and Tia. They had a fantastic season last year,” Stange said.
“Depending upon progress made and allocations given, they have an excellent chance to go far!”
Joining them is sophomore sensation Genna Wright, who played #1 singles as a mere freshman.
“Genna should be in position to have a strong year as well,” Stange said.
After the top three, however, the rest of the roster is very much a work in progress.
Only four other letter winners return, and the group of Jillian Mayne, Jaimee Masters, Elaira Nicolle, and Emily Fielder doesn’t feature anyone who played varsity regularly a year ago.
“Our weakness is that we are inexperienced,” Stange said. “With only three full-time varsity players from last season, we have some work to do, if we want to make waves in our league.”
Two freshmen, Eryn Wood and Abby Mulholland, “have shown great promise during the first week of practice,” and Stange always looks forward to seeing who will rise to the occasion with each new season.
“We have quite a few young players this year, so I expect lots of development as the season progresses,” he said.
After four seasons of ruling the roost in the Olympic League, Coupeville has set up shop in the new North Sound Conference in 2019.
Tennis is its own thing, however, as not all of the league’s six schools field a team.
Sultan and Cedar Park Christian sit tennis out, but Friday Harbor, the only Northwest League team to play the sport, has bounced over to join up with Coupeville, South Whidbey, King’s, and Granite Falls.
“We are in a new league with higher standards, and it will make for a competitive group,” Stange said. “I expect South Whidbey to be the gold standard; although, we have been able to stay close with them in recent years.”
Like the best coaches, Stange keeps an eye on the win/loss record, while putting the bigger emphasis on improvement, as individuals and as a team, and how the Wolves conduct themselves.
“(The season will be a success if) we try hard, we are happy with our results, we improve each day, and we demonstrate excellent sportsmanship,” he said.
For longer-term goals, Stange would like his team to finish in the top two in the league standings, advance at least two entries to districts, and get at least one entry to state.
As he rebuilds his own strength, he expects his players to do the same.
“I feel fortunate to have Avalon and Tia leading the charge for me this season,” Stange said. “I am not at 100% this season, and they will be essential to our entire team’s success.
“Luckily the path was laid for them by Valen Trujillo, Payton Aparicio, and Sage Renninger.”
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