Mercer Island girls—defending state champions—head back to tennis courts | Spring Preview

The defending state champions in 3A girls tennis return this season strong and ready to battle it out in KingCo once again, but this spring the status quo underwent some changes. The biggest difference for the Islanders is new head coach Mindy Blakeslee, who took over the program following longtime coach Joyce Hedlund’s death last fall. For the upperclassmen, especially the seniors, the change is more noticeable as they begin their final season, but none are looking back.

By Megan Managan • March 23, 2010 3:00 pm

The defending state champions in 3A girls tennis return this season strong and ready to battle it out in KingCo once again, but this spring the status quo underwent some changes.

The biggest difference for the Islanders is new head coach Mindy Blakeslee, who took over the program following longtime coach Joyce Hedlund’s death last fall. For the upperclassmen, especially the seniors, the change is more noticeable as they begin their final season, but none are looking back.

“We’ve had the best start to the season, given the circumstances. For me the team is really, really strong this season,” said senior captain Julia Zook. Her fellow captain, Julia Schubach, agreed, saying this year was different, but in a good way.

“We love Mindy,” said the team’s third captain, Valerie Gage. “It’s been really smooth.”

The captains said one of their team goals this season is to repeat the trifecta from last year, winning KingCo, districts and state. Blakeslee said it is certainly a goal for the team to finish well at state, but that the pressure to make it happen won’t necessarily be there.

“Obviously, winning state is a goal, but I don’t want to put pressure on ourselves,” said the coach. “I’m trying to keep things light and fun, especially with the change [in coaches].”

Blakeslee said the first week of the season was tough, but everyone has been working very hard and, otherwise, the transition was going well.

The Islanders return with a majority of last year’s team, including Chelsea Bailey, who took second in singles at state last year, as well as Schubach, who finished third at state with doubles partner Michelle Zemplenyi, who graduated in 2009.

Blakeslee said that teams the Islanders are excited to play against include Holy Names, Seattle Prep and Newport, but both Holy Names and Seattle Prep are division teams that Mercer Island won’t see until the playoffs, while 4A Newport is a friendly rivalry.

“This division is the toughest in the state, so if we can get out of it, we’ll be good,” said the coach.

The girls, however, are just excited to play, no matter who the opponent.

“It’s our last year, and we want to go out with a bang,” said Gage.

Another change for the team this season, like the boys faced in the fall, is that players must choose to play singles or doubles, without mixing and matching at meets. Plus, for the doubles teams, the Islanders will take a longer evaluation period to figure out which pairs best complement each other.

“There’s no mixing, but it’s not really a problem for us,” said Zook about the new rules. “It gives more girls a chance to play.”

The Islanders’ first home match will take place on March 25 against Liberty, starting at 3:45 p.m.

2010 Schedule

3/25 3:45 PM vs. Liberty (RENTON)

3/30 3:45 PM @ Interlake *Rescheduled*

4/1 3:45 PM @ Woodinville *Rescheduled*

4/13 3:45 PM vs. Juanita

4/15 3:45 PM vs. Lake Washington Sr

4/20 3:45 PM @ Roosevelt

4/22 3:45 PM vs. Bellevue

4/26 3:45 PM @ Woodinville

4/27 3:45 PM vs. Inglemoor