Eatonville boys tennis splits pair of matches with Washington, Steilacoom

The Eatonville boy’s tennis team showed resilience last week, bouncing back from a tough 4-1 loss to Washington High School with a 3-2 victory over Steilacoom.

Against Washington, the Cruisers battled through several close contests but fell short in the deciding sets. Senior Jacob Golding pushed his opponent to a tiebreaker in the second set at No. 1 singles before dropping a 6-3, 7-6 (4) decision. At No. 2 singles, Steven Haas extended his match to three sets, winning the opening tiebreak 7-6 (1) before falling 6-3, 6-2.

The Cruisers’ lone victory came at No. 3 doubles, where Blake Pool and William Fulmer outlasted Washington’s Josiah Prokopovich and Lorcan Valdovinos in a three-set thriller, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.

Two more matches went the distance. The No. 1 doubles team of Carl Lucas and Jackson Rockey claimed the first set but couldn’t hold on, dropping 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. At No. 2 doubles, Holden Hetland and Ethan Stogsdill were defeated 6-2, 6-1.

Eatonville regrouped quickly in its next match, edging Steilacoom 3-2 in front of its home crowd. Golding cruised at No. 1 singles with a dominant 6-1, 6-2 victory, while Hetland and Stogsdill teamed up for a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 2 doubles. Pool and Fulmer clinched the team victory with a convincing 6-1, 6-2 performance at No. 3 doubles.

Though Haas and the No. 1 doubles team of Lucas and Rockey dropped their matches, the balance of singles and doubles strength gave Eatonville its second team win of the season.

Head Coach Maryann Baker praised the impact of her experienced players in guiding a roster that includes several newcomers.

“This week we have seen great leadership from our returning varsity players,” Baker said. “This has been instrumental in the growth of skills we are now seeing. Players are playing smarter and with a variety of strategies to have more game wins.”

The Cruisers will look to build on their progress with a pair of home matches this week. Eatonville hosts the Fife Trojans on Tuesday, Sept. 23, before facing the Clover Park Timberwolves on Wednesday, Sept. 24.