AT A GLANCE: Redmond prep tennis

OVERLAKE OWLS

• Head coach: Bill Armstrong, 3rd season

• Last year: 8-0, 1st place Emerald City League, 12-0 overall

• 2010 turnout: 34

KEY RETURNERS

• Jr. Trym Torvund: Smooth lefty has a wide variety of shots and can win points from anywhere on the court. Defending state singles runner-up.

• Sr. Grant Munoz, Sr. Marcus Munoz: Identical twins are back playing doubles together this spring. They both worked extremely hard in the offseason and lead by example.

• Sr. Nishant Velagapudi: Another fourth-year player will return to doubles action with solid partner Bob Gardner.

TOP NEWCOMER

• Fr. Grant Gibson: Impressive-looking freshman has a wide variety of shots and an infection joy for the game.

BIG MATCH

• Tuesday, April 19 vs. University Prep: The well-coached and deep Pumas are Overlake’s only real competition in the Emerald City League.

COACH’S QUOTE:

“We should do very well in league play. We have a number of very experienced returning players. Obviously, we are working hard to get a number of players to the state tournament.” – Coach Armstrong

 

BEAR CREEK GRIZZLIES

• Head coach: Dennis Sherrer, 3rd season

• Last year: 0-7 in 1A Emerald City League, 5th place

• 2010 turnout: 10

KEY RETURNERS

• Jr. Gimin Moon: Solid player will be at No. 1 singles for the Grizzles. Sat out last year after transferring from Bellevue.

• Sr. Junwhan Yoo: Team’s only true returning player will probably see time at No. 1 doubles this year.

TOP NEWCOMERS

• Sr. Jude Ahn: First-year player impressed at tryouts looks to fill No. 2 singles or No. 1 doubles slot with Yoo.

• Jr. Kooha Kwon: Multi-sport athlete played golf last spring for the Grizzlies.

BIG MATCH

• Thursday, May 5 vs. Overlake at Marymoor Park: Last league match of the season will be a good tune-up for those players with a shot to advance into the postseason.

COACH’S QUOTE:

“It’s a rebuilding year. Except for (Moon and Yoo), the rest of the team is new to tennis and has not ever played a match.” – Coach Sherrer

 

GIRLS TENNIS

REDMOND MUSTANGS

• Head coach: Marceil Whitney, 15th season

• Last year: 5-5 in 4A Kingco League, 7th place

• 2010 turnout: 34

KEY RETURNERS

• Jr. Sarah Du: Standout player last year returns as the team’s player to beat at No. 1 singles. Good chance to advance deep into the postseason.

• Sr. Raluca Ifrim: Model of consistency, she gives every opponent a tough match.

BIG MATCH

• Tuesday, April 26, 3:45 p.m. vs. Newport: The Knights are deep and return many players. Will be a good test for the team’s top players to see how the stack up against the best in the league.

DID YOU KNOW?

Coach Whitney has over 40 years of experience teaching and coaching tennis. Currently, she is the USPTA Professional at Central Park Tennis Club. She also teaches summer camps through the Redmond and Kirkland Parks and Recreation Departments.

COACH’S QUOTE:

“With six returning seniors, our team has a chance to finish in the middle of the (Kingco) lineup. We’re working to be in the top six.” – Coach Whitney

 

OVERLAKE OWLS

• Head coach: Jim Uyesugi, fourth season

• Last year: 8-1, Emerald City League Champions, 9-1 overall

• 2010 turnout: 22

KEY RETURNERS

• Jr. Caroline Roush: Very strong player will be the Owls’ top dog this year at No. 1 singles. Good chance to advance to state.

• Sr. Catherine Jessen, Soph. Emily Walter: Solid returning doubles team, they know each other’s games very well.

• Jr. Julia Robbins: Athletic player can play singles or doubles and will see time at both spots.

• Jr. Clair Bond: Quick, aggressive all-court player looks to make a splash at No. 2 doubles

TOP NEWCOMERS

• Fresh. Tammy Eydelman: Solid fundamentals and a great net game maker her one to watch for the future.

BIG MATCH

• Wednesday, April 27, 3:30 p.m. vs. Forest Ridge: This all-girls school in Bellevue has a strong program and a very talented singles player that should make for a great match against Caroline Roush.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Owls swept the 1B/2B/1A state tournament last year, winning the doubles (Stephanie Roush/Caroline Roush) and singles (Lana Robins) titles.

COACH’S QUOTE

“Our team strength goes deep, and I expect to have a pretty strong season. Forest Ridge has probably the strongest singles player in the league this year, but we hope to have the strongest overall team.” — Coach Uyesugi