BHS blanks Kingston in tennis

The Bainbridge High School girls tennis team beat Sequim Wednesday 7-0 in an Olympic League matchup to finish the season with a 12-0 record.

It was Senior Day so all of the team’s seniors played doubles and won, and the three singles girls won their matches, too.

Seniors are Lily Alnwick, Emily Knighton, Juliette Dashe, Alex Cheng-Sun, Sarah Brady, Delilah Kohn and Eva Farley. Out with an injury and unable to play was Chelsea Stanton-Hicks. Ruby Morrow took Chelsea’s place playing Doubles 4.

Ella Parker won at Singles 1, Izzy Wallin Singles 2 and Elle Schuchman at Singles 3.

“All twenty-three girls on the team had a winning season, which doesn’t happen very often, so the whole team is thrilled, but sad to see the season come to an end,” coach Mary McComb said.

The team also beat Kingston 7-0 Monday.

While McComb, of course, is impressed with her team, she does not like how being a 3A school in the 2A league will limit her players’ postseason play. “I hate it,” she said.

McComb said she has at least six players who have the ability to compete in the district tournament and possibily go on to state. But because of state high school rules, because her team is 3A in a 2A league only one singles player and one doubles team have a chance to play at district. And they would have to beat the fifth-place team from a 3A league just to do that.

“It’s a bummer,” McComb said, adding Ella Parker, a junior, will represent the Spartans in singles and the freshman doubles team of Elle Schuchman and Malia Lemieux also will move on.

McComb said it’s been a frustrating season in other ways, too. Because the Olympic League has such small schools, many don’t have junior varsity teams.

“We’re really deep,” she said, adding six on JV could be playing varsity elsewhere. “I have to pick who gets to play.”

Kingston coach Terry Grimm also said it’s been a frustrating year, between rainouts and other issues canceling half of their matches and pandemic quarantines restricting play of some team members. Against BHS, the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles teams were out due to COVID-19.

Ruby Morrow played No. 1 singles for Bainbridge against the Bucs.

Ruby Morrow played No. 1 singles for Bainbridge against the Bucs.

Kristina Walker follows through after a backhand in the Spartans match at Kingston.

Kristina Walker follows through after a backhand in the Spartans match at Kingston.

Aya Gatto smashes a forehand down the line against the Bucs.

Aya Gatto smashes a forehand down the line against the Bucs.

Aya Gatto, in background, smiles as BHS teammate Kristine Walker puts away a backhand volley at the net.

Aya Gatto, in background, smiles as BHS teammate Kristine Walker puts away a backhand volley at the net.