McKenzie Bailey (left) and Wynter Thorne celebrate sharing Player of the Match honors. (Ken Stange photo)
Sydney Autio and doubles mate Micky LeVine put up a titanic battle, before being nipped 7-5, 7-5. (John Fisken photo)
You have to play the best to be the best.
With that in mind, the Coupeville High School girls’ tennis squad stepped up and faced off with one of the premier net programs in the state Saturday.
And, while the Wolves couldn’t derail perennial state title contender Charles Wright Academy, eventually falling 4-1 in a non-conference tilt, they did acquit themselves quite nicely.
“Despite the score, I was pleased with the results,” said Coupeville coach Ken Stange. “CWA is one of the premier 1A programs. Our players took full advantage of the chance to play against some quality players.”
Having waged battle against seasoned, top-level players who generally play year-round, the Wolves, now 1-3, will have a chance to put the lessons learned to work right away.
Coupeville is scheduled to play three matches this coming week — hosting 2A Lakewood Monday, traveling to South Whidbey Wednesday, then hosting league rival Chimacum Friday.
That last one is the big one, with the Wolves sitting atop the Olympic League standings at 1-0, having shredded Klahowya earlier this season.
In their match against the private school netters Saturday, the doubles duo of McKenzie Bailey and Wynter Thorne claimed Coupeville’s lone win and were honored as joint Players of the Match.
“McKenzie and Wynter, AKA McWynter, AKA McFlurry, enjoy playing together,” Stange said. “Their games complement one another, and they have solid chemistry.
“The best part about this match was watching them figure out how to make subtle adjustments as the match went along,” he added. “Each time the other team took some advice from the coach, McFlurry would keep applying pressure. It was a strong performance!”
While she eventually fell in three epic sets, Wolf sophomore Valen Trujillo also sparkled during her performance at second singles.
Facing a foe who possesses a rare two-handed forehand, Trujillo had her hands full during her second straight three-setter.
“(Jenny) Soel is the most skilled opponent Valen has faced this year. It was a classic battle,” Stange said. “Both players battled with intensity, while being quite friendly with each other.
“High school tennis players officiate their own matches. Sometimes, this proves to be the most difficult part of playing a match,” he added. “Valen and Jenny were the epitome of class. I don’t think either of them made a bad call against the other.
“Rather, they both played balls that were out, just to make sure.”
Complete Results:
Varsity:
1st Singles — Jacki Ginnings lost to Alexis Schorno 6-0, 6-1
2nd Singles — Valen Trujillo lost to Jenny Soel 3-6, 6-3, 10-8
1st Doubles — Payton Aparicio/Sage Renninger lost to Emily/Mei Ge 6-1, 6-1
2nd Doubles — McKenzie Bailey/Wynter Thorne beat Casey Kim/Meera Patel 6-2, 6-4
3rd Doubles — Sydney Autio/Micky LeVine lost to Kate Pasco/Monica Refuerzo 7-5, 7-5
JV:
Haleigh Deasy/Jazmine Franklin lost to Aura/Lovia 9-7
Maggie Crimmins/Kameryn St Onge lost to Abby/Emma 7-2
McKenzie Meyer/Renninger beat Erin/Casey Kim 8-4
Coupeville Sports 