They’re young. And in some areas, the Kentridge High girls tennis team may lack experience. But this bunch is plenty talented, too.
“We are definitely young,” said coach Jennifer McIntosh. “We had a ton of seniors last year and now we only have one (on varsity), but I have been really, really pleased.”
And understandably so. The Chargers entered the week unbeaten at 3-0, picking up wins over Kent-Meridian (5-0), Mount Rainier (3-2) and Kentlake (3-2). The power-packed Chargers could not have been more dominant in their March 22 win over the Royals as they received unscored upon victories from Kyana Esber (No. 1 singles), Karissa Lau (No. 2 singles) and with their No. 1 doubles team of Alissa Lee and Katelyn Overland.
One of the keys to Kentridge’s early season success has been the addition of Overland, whose older brother Matt Overland was a three-time state medalist (2008-2010) for the Chargers.
A freshman, Overland has all the talent to quickly blossom into one of the South Puget Sound League North Division’s top players this spring.
“She’s from a tennis family and has some really nice abilities,” said McIntosh. “She’s a fighter and isn’t afraid to compete, and she’s got nice fundamentals. She could vie for a spot in the state tournament.”
Overland put those fundamentals on display during a 6-2, 6-5 victory over Mount Rainier’s Shannon Wong on March 24. In a little more than a month of play, Overland already has ascended to Kentridge’s No. 1 singles slot, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished too often in McIntosh’s eight years.
“It has been a long time,” McIntosh conceded. “I haven’t seen a ton of freshman come through and take over that top spot. I think Kim Quach in 2005 was the last to do it.”
Yet, Overland isn’t the only youngster providing a infusion of talent to the perennially strong Kentridge program as fellow freshman Tracy Tran also has cracked the team’s top six and has primarily been slotted in doubles.
Kentridge’s youth, however, also is balanced nicely with the team’s veteran leadership of senior Alissa Lee and junior Karissa Lau. Toss in returning sophomore Kyana Esber, and the Chargers have reason to believe they should challenge this spring for league supremacy.
“We should challenge,” McIntosh said. “Everybody is willing to play singles or doubles, and we have a nice chemistry.”
CHARGERS: AT A GLANCE
• COACH: Jennifer McIntosh, eighth year.
• LAST YEAR: 6-4 in SPSL North play (tied for second) and 9-4 overall.
• TOP RETURNERS: Alissa Lee, sr.; Karissa Lau, jr.; Kyana Esber, so.; Katie Ly, so.
• TOP NEWCOMERS: Tracy Tran, fr.; Katelyn Overland, fr.
• OUTLOOK: Quietly, McIntosh has built one of the strongest traditions in the area on the Kentridge High tennis girls tennis court. Since 2004, the Chargers haven’t finished any lower in the league standings than third. Though Kentridge hasn’t won the North since its perfect season of 2008, the Chargers have been in the mix until the end. This year’s team may not have the tremendous depth of KR teams of the past, but this is still a relatively loaded lineup. Overland and Tran should give the team a nice jolt while Lee and Lau will provide the necessary leadership. By season’s end, the Chargers should find themselves at or near the top once again.
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