Everyone helps everyone heading into state tennis.
For example, Mountain View and Union players scrimmaged against each other this week. The Skyview boys and girls did the same. Columbia River sophomore Faith Grisham enlisted the assistance of Prairie grad and two-time state placer Akari Baba for her state prep.
Having played at state last year, Grisham knows what to expect but at least three things will be different for her when tournament play begins Friday: She is playing at Class 2A instead of 3A, the venue will be the courts at the University of Washington instead of the Tri-Cities, and … oh, by the way … and she’s going in undefeated.
“I’m hoping to win,” Grisham said. “I’ve seen a variety of players (this year). It’s a good challenge to play against players I haven’t seen, see more styles (of play).”
Grisham is on the opposite side of the draw from two-time defending 2A state champ Danya Wallis of North Kitsap, someone Grisham says she knows. That meeting wouldn’t happen until Saturday.
There plenty of challenges in front of Clark County players before thinking about Saturday.
In 4A girls at Richland, Camas senior Hannah Gianan makes her fourth trip to state. Last year’s singles runner-up, and two-time doubles state champ, Gianan had four returning state players in her half of the draw including Union junior McKenzie Schreiner.
Union’s doubles team of Nicole Knudtson and Elysha Fu are in the same half as Skyview’s Sarah Morgan and Karly Metz. They were voted co-4A GSHL doubles teams of the year.
At 3A in Kennewick, the Mountain View girls have the numbers to be considered in the discussion for a team trophy. However, the draw was tough on the Thunder. In doubles, Anna Lu and Sabrina Wang could possibly meet teammates Dayna Vitek and Eva Winsheimer in the quarterfinals or consolation. Juwoon Kim, a sophomore, drew 3A KingCo champ Olivia Sun, a freshman from Interlake, in the first round.
Avery Honaker of Hudson’s Bay is making her first trip to state in the 3A singles draw opposite Kim.
Jessica Gribi of King’s Way Christian is making her first trip to state in the 1A/1B/2B singles draw at Yakima.
The boys return to action Friday as well, picking up where they left off in the fall.
Skyview junior Andrew Kabacy, in his third trip to state, opens 4A play at Richland against Luke Andrewjeski of Wenatchee. This was supposed to be Kabacy’s second match at state last year were it not for an ankle injury that forced Kabacy to withdraw. Also in this half of the draw is Battle Ground’s Gunner Harlan, who was runner-up to Kabacy at the bi-district tournament. Harlan drew Payton Namba of Newport, who was half of the 4A champion doubles team last year.
Skyview’s Chris Sheppert and Joey Gaylor, and Union’s Andrew Chanthavong and Alex Calpagiu are on opposite sides of the doubles draw.
Mountain View’s two boys doubles teams have a tough draw at 3A. Algird Zalpys and Matt Wheatley could face last year’s state runner-up from Mercer Island in the quarterfinals. Josh Kim and Sam So could meet up with last year’s third-place finisher from Seattle Prep in the quarters.
Soeren Serve represents Washougal in the 2A singles draw, making his first trip to state.
