Mount Si High School girls tennis recharges with big senior squad

Published 1:12 pm Tuesday, March 15, 2011

This could be a big year for the Mount Si High School girls tennis team, and the squad’s seniors want the world to know it.

Practicing out of the rain in the school gym last week, team captain Shelby Thomas decided the place needed redecorating.

“I want a banner on our wall,” the senior said. “We need something”—posters first, a trophy later.

Thomas is back for her fourth year on the team, and team captain for her third season. She and fellow members of the Wildcats’ varsity nucleus look to lead a sizable girls team, blessed with a big turnout this year, to the postseason.

“It’s good that we have this many to choose from,” said Thomas, who drilled with varsity players as a gymful of newcomers tried out in the auxiliary gym next door. “If we can get the freshmen started, they can carry it. The earlier they start, the better.”

Thomas herself started playing at age eight, quickly picking up the sport. By 15, she was teaching lessons at the Pine Lake Athletic Club at Sammamish. She loves the game and follows matches on television.

A likely pick for the number one doubles spot, senior Natalie Knoetgen wants to see the girls become more competitive and confident.

“Sometimes we get down because we don’t win,” she said. “We need to get aggressive.”

Another four-year returner is Lindsay Masters. She was introduced to the sport the summer of freshman year, and stuck with it, gravitating to varsity.

“I want to improve my game, have fun and hopefully place at KingCo,” Masters said.

Likewise, fellow senior Rachel Swami started with the team as a freshman, after taking lessons when she was younger,

Swami plays for the experience: “the time you get with different girls and getting to know them, getting to improve with each other.”

Trina Eck is Mount Si’s strongest 11th grade player. Taking the long view, she hopes to see other juniors step up their game this year, helping give Mount Si an edge in 2012.

“Since I made varsity, I really want to improve,” Eck said.

Thomas has her eye on a KingCo conference title and state; to get there, Mount Si will have to best the likes of Mercer Island and Sammamish.

When winter rains give way to summer sun, Thomas and company will take to the school’s brand-new, crack-free tennis courts for a second season.

“We love ’em, they’re blue,” she said.

• The Mount Si girls tennis team plays their first home match Thursday, March 17, vs. Eastlake. Game time is 3:45 p.m.