Medical Lake girls seek NEA tennis title repeat

Medical Lake’s girls tennis team has some unfinished business they hope to complete this spring.

The two-time defending Northeast A League co-champions want to take things one more step and qualify for state, their longtime coach, Dawn Eliassen said.

“Their entire varsity career they’ve been league champs,” Eliassen said. “And I think they’ve got a pretty good chance (to repeat).”

It’s an experienced, senior-laden group. Cassidy Hagel is one of the leading varsity players, teaming with fellow senior Annette Carlson at No. 1 doubles. The two were co-MVP’s in the NEA in 2014, Eliassen said.

“We’re looking to take off from where they finished last year, because they just missed going to state last year.”

That was a big disappointment the two do not want to repeat and to help make sure that doesn’t happen, “We’re trying to turn them into more aggressive players,” Eliassen said.

“I think there’s a little hunger,” Eliassen said. “With the women’s doubles, if you can be confident and aggressive at the net, you can take anybody.” Their athleticism — both are volleyball and basketball players — helps them be effective.

Another senior, Kaytlynn Houger, is playing with a new partner this year in Natasha Alsept, a sophomore. “We have to help her transition to varsity,” Eliassen said.

“Alyssa Fitzgerald is looking awesome,” Eliassen said. “She put in a lot of time over the summer. She’s so smart she requires very little coaching.”

The senior is quick to figure out her opponent’s weaknesses, Eliassen explained. “She has a game plan and she can pick people apart.”

Fitzgerald also just missed qualifying for state in 2014. “She’s pretty determined, (but) she was pretty disappointed last year,” Eliassen said.

Annika Gahan, also a senior, is No. 2 now after splitting time between that and the No. 3 spot in 2014. ”She’s going to decide some team wins for us,” Eliassen said.

Eliassen, who teams with new coach Tyler Lemasters and Jake Wesselman — all co-coaches with equal standing — said most of the boy’s team returns, but it’s the new faces and youth that had her talking.

Noah Ray and Cason Bailey are the only newcomers. Ray is just a freshman but has been playing tennis for quite some time, Eliassen said. “He’s already elevated himself to the No. 1 singles spot.”

Bailey is a sophomore in his first year playing tennis and earned a varsity position. “His skills need a little honing, but he’s aggressive,” Eliassen said. “He’s hungry and he’s competitive,” and is currently playing No. 2 doubles with junior Alex Neder.

Austin Brown, a senior, and junior Isiah Farmen are the current No. 1 doubles team. “They held down the No. 1 and No. 2 (singles) pretty much all of last year,” Eliassen said.

The two moved on their own request to doubles. “They wanted to give it a shot and they look pretty good,” Eliassen said.

“Their personalities feed pretty well off each other, their playing styles are pretty complimentary,” Eliassen said.

One is more aggressive and the other more consistent, Eliassen explained. “That’s a good combo and they’re looking pretty strong right now.”

In singles, Tyler Krivolavy has moved to singles after playing doubles late year. “He’s kind of stepping into a new role and learning how singles is a little bit different,” Eliassen said.

Lemasters is a former Medical Lake player who returns to coach after being away for a number of years. Eliassen emphasized the “s” at the end of Lemasters’ name, so as not to confuse him with former legendary coach Leroy Lemaster.

Turnout has been solid, perhaps great, Eliassen said. “We have more boys than we’ve had in along time.” There are 24 boys and 22 girls. “I like the fact that the boy’s numbers have gone up a little this year.”

Paul Delaney can be reached at pdelaney@cheneyfreepress.com.