Experience is key to making a team competitive, and this year,

the Mount Si tennis team is lacking a lot of experience. But team

members' determination should take them far.

Coach Sue Gallagher, now in her second year, realizes that many

players in KingCo have a lot more practice on the court. "We struggle in

the league because most teams have players that play year-round. They have

the facilities to play in the offseason,"

said Gallagher.

Top returners for the year are four juniors: Jacob Waggoner, Heath

Jones, Ben DeBoer and Brandon Bumpus.

When asked who is No. 1, Gallagher thought for a moment,

then quipped, "Ben Deboer is No. 1, but if you had asked us a couple days ago,

it would have been Jacob Waggoner. Ask us again tomorrow and it

could be someone else."

League play begins Sept. 14 at Bellevue.

At a glance:

Coach: Sue Gallagher varsity, Jerry Spalding JV

Years coaching: 3 and 14

Last year's record: 1-7

League finish: seventh.

Top returners: Jacob Waggoner, junior, Heath Jones, junior, Ben

DeBoer, junior, Brandon Bumpus, junior.

Outlook: A very young team that will improve with experience.

Schedule:

Contest starting times are 3:30

Home matches are bold.

Sept. 14, at Bellevue

Sept. 19, at Newport

Sept. 21, Sammamish

Sept. 26, at Liberty

Sept. 28, Mercer Island

Oct. 3, at Interlake

Oct. 5, Skyline

Oct. 10, Issaquah

"We struggle in the league because most teams

have players that play year-round."

Sue Gallagher

Tennis Coach

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