BOYS TENNIS: Kentridge in search of fourth straight SPSL North title

  • BY Wire Service
  • Friday, September 24, 2010 7:53pm
  • Sports
Kentridge boys tennis coach Bob Armstrong discusses strategy with No. 1 singles player Vincent Lim during a recent match.

Kentridge boys tennis coach Bob Armstrong discusses strategy with No. 1 singles player Vincent Lim during a recent match.

Parity?

There hasn’t been much of it on the South Puget Sound League North Division boys tennis scene for many, many years.

Kentridge has waltzed its way to three straight undisputed league crowns, and shared one in 2006 with Kentwood. In fact, during the past decade, only four teams have won at least one league championship — Kentridge (4), Kentwood (3, all of which were shared), Auburn Riverside (3, one of which was shared) and Sumner.

That missing parity?

It could be back on the local courts this fall.

“A lot of good, really talented players graduated,” said Kentridge coach Bob Armstrong. “I think we’ll give everybody a run for their money.”

Indeed the Chargers will. But the same could be said throughout the league.

“The league is much stronger this year. I know Kent-Meridian has got a lot of good players back and so does Kentlake,” said Kentwood coach Ingrid Baake. “Every match this year I think is going to be tough.”

Armstrong and Baake both know all about graduating talented player.

Key pieces from last year’s Kentridge team who graduated in the spring include Matt Overland (No. 1 singles), Garrett Ballou (No. 2 singles), Vineeth Omkaram (doubles) and Paul Yi (doubles), all of whom advanced to state a year ago. Down the road at Kentwood, however, the scene is much the same. The Conks graduated star Max Manthou, a four-time state singles champion, along with state competitor Tucker Siegert.

“There’s a ton of change this year,” said Kentwood coach Ingrid Baake. “It’s going to be interesting.”

While there’s plenty of turnover this fall, Kentridge and Kentwood find themselves in similar boats. That is, each team’s top player — Vincent Lin at Kentridge and Kentwood’s Alex Noyes — both will be transitioning from doubles to singles. Noyes teamed with Siegert in the spring to bring home a fourth-place medal from state. Lin also advanced to state in doubles.

“Just in our division, I think (Vincent and Alex) might be right near the top,” Armstrong said.

And while Kentridge and Kentwood are trying to find the right mix during the early season, Kent-Meridian and Kentlake returned enough talent this fall to make a revamped SPSL North — with Mount Rainier entering the league and Auburn moving to the Central — more exciting than ever.

Those returners at Kent-Meridian include: Rory Jens, Mack Snider, Kyle Engman and Reider Riveland. The Falcons also return a strong bunch, including Kyle Thomas, Kyle Woo, Brandon Wilson, and Shane Wilson.

“I really don’t think anybody knows what’s going to happen,” Armstrong said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alex Noyes, Kentwood; Ryan Proffitt, Kentwood; Chris Rumer, Kentwood; Paul Lennick, Kentwood; Vincent Lin, Kentridge; Howard Lin, Kentridge; Alex Yi, Kentridge; Matt Lee, Kentridge; Henry Ly, Kentridge; James Dugan, Kentridge; Aadil Diwan, Kentridge; Rory Jens, Kent-Meridian; Mack Snider, Kent-Meridian; Kyle Engman, Kent-Meridian; Reider Riveland, Kent-Meridian.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Sports

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentwood

Dayna Vi (Jr.) wrestling and Brandon Tagle (Jr.) basketball take home this weeks awards.

Kentwood’s Jessica Ajayi dribbles the ball up the floor. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentwood girls basketball drops fourth straight

Team falls to Riverside for first time since 2017. Head Coach Jordan Nero: ‘We’ll find a way, we always do.’

t
Hundreds participate in Kent Christmas Rush run/walk

Seattle’s Nathan Morrisson wins 10K; Kent’s Travis Houser captures 5K

Graphic provided by KSD.
Kent Reporter Athlete of the Week: Kentridge

Genesis Miller (Flag Football) and Gio Moimoi (Basketball) take home this weeks award.

Veronica Garcia gives an interview after winning the 2A girls 400-meter final at the 2024 Washington State Championships at Mt. Tahoma High School in Tacoma. (Screenshot from Runnerspace.com video)
Proposals seek new rules for transgender athletes in WA schools

Other proposals target student-athlete transfer rules and girls flag football.

Tyanna Sims drives to the basket against Auburn in the loss. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Trojans sweep aside Kentwood in doubleheader

Both boys and girls basketball teams lose to Auburn in NPSL opening play.

Kentridge girls soccer surprised the three signees at Kentridge. Photo provided by @ETDPI on Instagram.
National Signing Day for Kentridge | Photos

Four Chargers offically signed to play college sports.

Graphic provided by Kent School District.
Athlete of the Week for Nov. 22: Kentwood

Nick Greutman (tennis) and Rowan Parsons (swim and dive) take home this weeks honors.

Kentridge senior Sierra Wallace dribbles the ball against Woodinville. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer falls 4-0 in state

Chargers make round of eight for second time ever and run into Woodinville buzzsaw.

Senior running back Antoine Lee avoids a Trojan defender early in the game against Auburn. Ben Ray / The Reporter
4A NPSL all-league football teams announced

Kentwood’s Antoine Lee named Offensive Player of the Year.

Photo provided by Kent School District.
Kent Reporter Athletes of the Week: Kentridge

Addison Stendera and Riley Tricas take home this weeks awards.

Makenna Bennett in action against Tahoma back on Oct. 22 at Kentridge. Ben Ray / The Reporter
Kentridge girls soccer advances to state

Chargers make state for second consecutive year, take on Wenatchee.