Spencer Cheng, Molly Donohue lead a senior dominated team.
In the 12 years Michael Anderson has been involved in the Bainbridge High School tennis program as an assistant, now head coach, he’s never had a team as talented as this year’s squad.
“This is the most kids we’ve (ever) kept in our top group,” he said Friday. “We have 14 boys and 13 girls that practice together.
“There’s a lot of seniors, which will be a huge loss after graduation, but I’ve got enough (kids) up there that I hope we can get some up there to give us some leadership for next season and be able to be competitive in the years to come.”
Last season, the tennis teams were still competitive against nearly everyone in the Metro League, finishing third with a record of 8-4 in league play.
22 players made it to the Metro tournament, with 11 of them making it to the Sea-King District 2 tournament, the most they’ve qualified for districts since they joined the Metro League.
But none of the Spartan players could move on to the state tournament, the first time that’s happened since 1994.
Molly Donohue and Spencer Cheng, both juniors at the time, finished just one game away from the state tournament.
Cheng placed fifth while Donohue finished sixth to earn alternate spots.
This year, the two seniors are back as the number one players for their respective teams.
Cheng, the brother of former BHS star Whitney Cheng, was 13-8 last season.
This season, he’s sporting a record of 3-4, with wins over Miles Hubbard of Bishop Blanchet by the scores of 6-2, 2-0 (Hubbard had to retire after the second game), Max Anderson of Seattle Prep by the scores of 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 and a big win against Charles Quay of Seattle Prep by the scores of 7-6 (8), 6-4.
Despite a tough loss on Friday to Lakeside’s Davis Mangham, the 3A boys’ singles state champ last season, Anderson said he’s seen a lot of improvement in his top player and co-captain.
“Spencer has had an outstanding season,” he said. “Charles Quay is a good player. He lost to their other number one (Brian Jenkins) but he played Davis Mangham really tough today.
“He’s probably going to beat most of the other kids (in the league),” Anderson continued. “Just in the last week or two Spencer has really come on. He’s in a lot better shape, he’s stronger, he’s bigger.”
Donohue, who went 11-10 last year, is 2-3 on the season with wins over Bishop Blanchet’s Claire Boyer by the scores of 6-1, 6-2 and Eastside Catholic’s Kirstie Franceschina by the scores of 6-3, 6-1.
While two losses have come to Seattle Prep’s Nicole Fleckenstein, Anderson said Donohue is right there with the best in Metro.
“She’s probably in the top three or four (girls singles) in the league,” he said.
Also returning are seniors Taylor Lea, Nash Reijnen, Darton Gibbons, Erik Saska, Kyle Nyberg, Luke Freedman and junior Jonathan Potter.
Reijnen has done well filling in various spots in singles and doubles play, scoring two wins on the year.
“He’s having an outstanding season,” Anderson said. “He’s been playing very well and has done just about everything for us.”
For the girls, they return seniors Anna Judson, Jamie Slonaker, Taylor Raquer, Ali Loechl and juniors in Becky Gottlieb, Brooke Shorett and Birgitte Gingold.
While the team must get past Lakeside or Seattle Prep, Anderson feels they’ll do well and get some players back to the postseason.
“I think we’re going to have more kids (than ever) competing in the Metro tournament,” he said. “I hope we can get at least three slots in (each category) in Metro.”
