Preview of Boys & Girls Tennis in Spokane.

2023 Boys and Girls Tennis Teams in Greater Spokane League

From staff reports

Here’s a look at the capsules for the 2023 Boys and Girls Tennis Teams in the Greater Spokane League:

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Central Valley:

The boys squad under first-year coach Connor Busch has eight letter winners. However, the team’s roles are yet to be determined. “We have no seniors, but we’ve had great teamwork and spirit in early practices,” said Busch. On the other hand, Shaun Williams takes over as the girls’ coach with just six letter winners and three starters back, led by district alternative junior Kalley Shelby. “We are younger and less experienced in doubles,” said Williams. “But we have young players who will improve over the season.”

Cheney:

Dan Estock is back for his second year as the boys’ coach, and the team returns seven players, including senior singles players, Hunter Passey and Connor Gall. Linnea Love, the girls’ coach, is also returning for her second year with just three letter winners back, led by All-GSL honorable mention Colleen McKinnon. Angelica Goold, a transfer from Mt. Spokane, could also make an impact this season.

Ferris:

The Saxons’ fourth-year coach, Jim Utzinger, has four returning letter winners, with seniors Brennan Roshetko and Cameron Lee leading the pack. The team was significantly hit by graduation last year.

Gonzaga Prep:

Shane Sandlin is the new boys’ coach with seven returning letter winners. No. 1 singles player Ryan Dougherty will be one of the leaders this year. On the other side, girls’ coach Jason Chapman is entering his fourth season with seven returning starters, including state-qualifying singles player Juliet McFarland, and doubles players Kate Palelek and Carly Walton – all seniors. The girls’ team went undefeated last season.

Lewis and Clark:

The boys’ team, coached by Tobin Phelps, had a third-place finish last year and is entering its 21st season. The team returns five, including regional singles qualifier senior Everett Skubinna and doubles qualifier junior Bridger Cloninger. Kate Burns returns for her second season as girls’ coach with a young team, and she is looking to build match experience.

Mead:

The Panthers boys were undefeated in the league last year, but just two letter winners return this season. Seniors Andrew Parker and Drew Champlin, who qualified for state in doubles, will lead the team. For the girls’ team, Junior Ravenna Byrd, a state alternate and all-league pick, is one to watch along with doubles team Lizzie Hardy and Rylee Lupton.

Mt. Spokane:

The team lost many contributors from last season, but all-league doubles player Lucas Trigg is back for his senior season under coach Dustin McConnell. “The returners saw what success looked like in 2023 and how playing solid and consistent can lead to success,” said McConnell.

North Central:

New girls coach Brina Carrigan has five returning letter winners. “We have some strong returners, but we also have a lot of new players that will be filling in varsity slots,” said Carrigan.

Ridgeline:

Freddie Rehkow, the boys’ basketball coach, doubles as the tennis coach and will be leading ten returning letter winners this season. The girls’ team, under coach Russ Tarmann, is also looking good with nine returning players, including state qualifier Avery Lewis and fellow seniors Cassidy Kuhlmann and Charley Palm.

University:

Dan Tenney is the new boys’ coach with six letter winners led by regional doubles qualifier senior Saxton Schultz and No. 1 singles senior Matthew Claypool. Julene Osborn enters her 20th season as the girls coach with seven returning letter winners, including Kailee Alteneder and Rebecca Coe, who took eighth at state in doubles last year.

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Clarkston:

John Kowatsch returns for his eighth season as the Bantams’ coach and has six letter winners back, including all-league singles seniors Nathan Gall and Aiden Schnatterle. “We have a great group of guys character-wise who are willing to work hard and improve every day,” said Kowatsch. Fourth-year coach Margie Denton leads the girls’ team with seven letter winners, including second-team All-GSL seniors Maddie Kaufman and Taryn Demers. “We will be competitive this year as we are about 14 deep,” said Denton.

East Valley:

Tom Griner is back for his second season running the girls’ team with just three letter winners back, including No. 1 singles sophomore Fasai Xiong. Griner notes that the team has a great family-like environment and three exchange students from Europe on the squad.

Pullman:

The district champion boys’ team under Cody Wendt went 13-0 last year, and state medalist Vijay Lin will return this season. Dan Vollmer enters his seventh year as the girls’ coach with ten letter winners and seven starters back, including State 2A champion Rhoda Wang, who is just a sophomore.

Rogers:

Ninth-year coach Miles Moffitt leads the boys’ team this season with four starters back, including first-team All-GSL Aiden Bui and second-teamer Nikko McDowell. On the other hand, coach Stephanie Garrett is back with the Pirates’ girls team, led by seniors Weiying Su and Joanne Avila.

Shadle Park:

Adam Poush and Scott Stalder co-coach the boys’ team, which is led by first-team All-GSL junior Benson Plaster at No. 1 singles. The team’s strength is in the junior class, and Poush is excited about the future of the program. Shahid Quidwai returns for his sixth season as the girls’ coach with six letter winners, including all-league No. 1 singles sophomore Danielle Cozzetto. “With all of our starters, we are hoping to compete for the league title,” said Quidwai.

West Valley:

Ned Fadeley is back for his seventh season as the boys’ coach with ten returning letter winners, including All-GSL No. 1 singles sophomore Conner Kunz. The team is looking to build on last year’s competitive squad with some new talent. As for the girls, first-year coach Blake Lynd will be leading the team, which is expected to be young with a lot of upside. The team will be led by No. 1 doubles team Carlie Knapp and Sutton Nordus, who qualified for state last year.