Matt Phelps
Mercer Island Reporter
The Mercer Island girls tennis team has six seniors and 11 players with varsity experience. The team will need every bit of experience they have as two of the three biggest in-league matches are first on the schedule.
“I wish that we had another week to sort out our singles lineup,” said Mercer Island coach Joyce Hedlund. “We are really strong in our doubles teams, though.”
There is a lot of talent in the ranks, just not a lot of experience in singles action at the high school level.
Mercer Island freshman Chelsea Bailey will start the season as the No. 1 singles player. Despite playing numerous WSTA tournaments, Bailey will be at a distinct disadvantage in experience level.
“Playing for your school is a lot different than anything else,” said Hedlund.
But the experience earned this year could be invaluable for a player who watched her older brother, Chris Bailey, help win a state title for the Islander boys.
At No. 2 singles will be Michelle Zemplenyi, who gained some experience last season as a doubles player. No. 3 will be junior Erica Leong.
Hedlund said that beyond the top three, the players will battle for positioning.
“We will have some pretty tough cookies at the state tournament this year, so we will need to be prepared,” said Hedlund.
Getting to state means going through one of the toughest leagues. The Islanders faced Newport on Tuesday (after Reporter deadline) and will take on Skyline tomorrow.
The Islanders completed the regular season in 2007 with an 8-1 record. But the only loss came to Skyline, eventually giving the regular-season title to Newport.
“This week is extremely crucial,” said senior Olivia Kristof. “Last year, we had the same schedule and looked past Skyline a bit and it cost us.”
The Islanders will travel to Bellevue on April 22 for another important match.
The returning players who endured that loss to Skyline are hungry to earn some redemption.
“Our seniors are a little on edge this year,” said Hedlund. “It is their final chance to make their mark for the program.”
The program has 27 state titles, the most of any sport in state history.
Leading the way are four senior captains, Lauren Smith, Kristoff, Sherrie Hsu and Kristen Gradel.
“I think they will be very good captains,” said Hedlund. “They have all been on varsity during the past three years.”
Fellow seniors Kendra Maser, Tammy Gu and Page Waldron will help guide younger players. Juniors Jessica Winterbauer and Renata Smith bring experience along with sophomores Julia Zook and Julia Schubach.
Another freshman who could make her mark is Kelly Crandall. But for all the talent of the 2008 team, the first week of play will be the most critical.
