On the first day of spring, Storm and Thunder were in the forecast at Skyview.
Except for the sunny skies.
Just the second week into the high school girls tennis season and already the Mountain View Thunder look like a serious threat in the 3A Greater St. Helens League.
Several key players took the court for the first time in competition as the Thunder won the non-league match over the Skyview Storm 5-1.
Skyview and Mountain View, once league rivals, remain friendly when it comes to scheduling each other as they provide a good test for the players.
Mountain View junior Juwoon Kim, a state qualifier last year, won her opening match of the season 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 singles over Skyview’s Marissa Hunter.
“My goal was 6-0, 6-0,” Kim said with a laugh. “But toward the end I got tired I guess.”
Still a solid start nonetheless.
“She was really good too,” Kim said of Hunter. “When I was warming up with her, she was really consistent. I just had to learn how to deal with her type of play.”
Kim went 1-2 in three state singles matches last year, winning in the consolation round.
“My goal is to place this year, hopefully,” Kim said.
Skyview’s point came at No. 1 doubles from two state qualifiers from last year, one of which was with Mountain View last season playing against her 3A state doubles partner.
Anna Lu and Karly Metz of Skyview defeated Sabrina Wang and Grace Garmire 6-0, 6-4.
Lu played doubles at 3A state with Wang last year, reaching the quarterfinals.
Metz and graduated senior Sarah Morgan placed eighth at 4A state for Skyview last year.
Mountain View swept the singles, dropping just six games in three matches.
Shreya Bhatra won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2, and Faith Yang won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 3 to go along with Kim’s victory.
