The Mercer Island girls tennis team officially claimed the 2009 3A KingCo regular season title last week with an in-league victory, but it came as no surprise, as Mercer Island has shut out nearly every team it has played.

The Islanders shut out and shut down Bellevue, 9-0, on Thursday as No. 1 singles player Chelsea Bailey made quick 6-0, 6-0 work of her opponent to remain undefeated on the season.

The rest of the singles action was anything but competitive as the Islanders gave up just five points in six matches, including a 6-0, 6-0 shutout by Islander Julia Zook at No. 5.

The Islanders faced some stiffer competition in doubles action as the team of Michelle Zemplenyi and Julia Schubach were challenged, but pulled out a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) victory.

Adriana Bernal and Val Gage kept the Islanders unbeaten with a 7-5, 6-2 win, and Jessie Winterbauer and Alisa Owens slipped past their opponents with a 6-0, 5-7, 6-2 victory to round out the doubles play.

Mercer Island prepared for Bellevue with two tough matches against 4A squads earlier in the week. On Monday, the Islanders beat old rival Newport, 6-3, and several Mercer Island players played tight matches.

Bailey started out slow, losing 3-6 during the first set, but came back strong to take the No. 1 singles match 6-2, 6-4.

Islander Erica Leong played No. 2 singles but lost 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Zemplenyi won 6-3, 6-2 at No. 3 singles, but Kelly Crandall would lose 7-5, 6-2. Islanders Ellie Rudee and Zook won at No. 5 and 6 singles, giving up just four points combined.

Mercer Island beat Roosevelt, 9-0, as Bailey again faced a tough match and won despite a slow start. The score was nearly identical to her match against Newport, losing the first set 3-6, but coming back to win 6-3, 6-4 for the victory. The other Islander matches were not as close, as Mercer Island singles players gave up just 11 points in five matches.