The early going for the Marysville-Pilchuck girls tennis team has thrown the Lady Tomahawks a number of challenges, not the least of which is the recent rainy weather.
We havent been outside many days, so were trying to make the best of the time we have on the court, said seventh-year head coach Nathan McClellan. The girls practice on the gray days and the days after the rain, the puddles mopped off the tennis court as they volley back and forth.
Uniquely among the spring sports, tennis practice depends on getting out of doors as, at M-P High School at least, there is no indoor equivalent of the tennis court surface. The players get experience inside challenging each other over a Pickle Ball net, but the tennis balls just bounce differently on the gym floors.
Adding to the obstacles, M-P has faced stiff competition in its first matches from Everett and Snohomish where many other teams typically face distant or weaker challengers in their earliest season games.
We never played Everett before, so that was new to us. We didnt know what to expect, McClellan said. And playing Snohomish early on, theyre always a good program, so its been an interesting start for us.
There have been some bright spots already, though. Junior singles player Lianne Falenski has emerged victorious from both of her matches, including a 6-4, 6-2 defeat of Snohomishs Danielle Elliott March 13. It took three games for sophomore Jodie Anderson to take down her Snohomish challenger Sonja LaBerge, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.
McClellan added that one of his primary goals is to build a camaraderie among the athletes to support each other in competition.
I think we try to develop a sense of team amongst the girls so they all feel comfortable playing with each other, McClellan said, adding that he has not yet ruled out changing up his rosters for the singles and doubles play. There can be a lot of movement from singles to doubles or doubles partners switching, so they need to have that comfort level to play with anybody.
Just trying to find the best match-up is where were at right now, he said.
In addition to Falenski and Anderson, returning starters include junior singles player Ashley Bartlett and junior doubles player April Bobadilla.
McClellan said he expects them to be the foundation of a solid team.
I think the returning players have really stepped up and are taking a leadership role. Theyre setting a good example about working hard. And the new players are enthusiastic and working hard, which makes it come together really well and flow really well.