Sports Shorts: Oct. 23 - Oct. 29

Boy’s Tennis

The Eatonville Cruisers boys’ tennis team wrapped up their regular season and competed in the League Tournament with impressive performances and a strong showing.

In their final match of the regular season, the Cruisers faced a tough challenge as they fell short to Charles Wright by a score of 3-2. Head Coach MaryAnn Baker emphasized that the score does not fully reflect the closely contested matches. Austen Quirie displayed his prowess by winning two sets while playing as the number 2 singles player. The #3 doubles team, Dana Bazan and Jackson Rockey, clinched victory in a thrilling 3rd set tiebreaker. The #1 doubles team of Thirtyacre and Lightfoot played against a competitive opponent with numerous lobs, overheads, and strong serves. Jacob Golding and Nate Goode, the #2 doubles pair, exhibited great resilience by pushing their match to a 3rd set tie-breaker, although they narrowly missed the win this time.

The league tournament, hosted at the University of Puget Sound on October 26th and 27th, presented an opportunity for the Cruisers to shine. Despite not having any seeded players, Eatonville secured representation at the upcoming District III tournament. The League Tournament employed a unique format that placed the top 4 rated players or doubles teams into separate pools, while the remaining players and teams were determined by Waterfall draws. This setup ensured ample playing time for all participants, as they competed against the members of their respective pools. The top two winners from each pool earned spots at the District III tournament.

Eatonville was thrilled to have two of its players qualify for the District Tourney. Carl Lucas, a sophomore at EHS, secured his place by defeating East Jefferson's Spencer Fordham and Ayden Bailey from Annie Wright Academy. Although he faced a challenging loss to the 2nd-seeded Cascade Christian player Nick Young, Carl's performance earned him a well-deserved spot.

The other EHS entry into the District Tourney came from Eatonville's #1 doubles team, Brody Thirtyacre and AJ Lightfoot. They managed impressive wins against opponents from CWA and East Jefferson but finished 2nd in their pool, with their only loss coming against Lang and Dickey from Klahowya HS.

Jacob Golding and Nate Goode, the #2 doubles duo, showcased sportsmanship and competitive spirit throughout the tournament. They placed 4th in their pool, with close matches against formidable opponents from Vashon and Cascade Christian.

Senior Austen Quirie, known for his strong serves and excellent footwork, faced tough competition in his pool, including a match against the #1 seed, Reid Martin from East Jefferson.

The Eatonville Cruisers boys tennis team demonstrated their determination and skill throughout the regular season and the League Tournament, earning well-deserved recognition and a place in the upcoming District III tournament. Coach MaryAnn Baker praised the team for their efforts and commitment to the sport.

As the District III tournament approaches, the Cruisers are poised for more exciting tennis action and the opportunity to represent Eatonville with pride and sportsmanship.

Volleyball

The Eatonville Cruisers volleyball team closed out their season with a challenging final stretch, falling to Elma and Tenino in their last two matches, both with 3-0 scores. These losses contributed to their overall season record of 2-14. While the win-loss column may not shine brightly, the team showcased unwavering dedication and resilience throughout the season. They started with hope and determination, securing a couple of early wins. However, they encountered tough opponents as the season progressed. Despite the setbacks, the Cruisers maintained their fighting spirit and teamwork. The valuable lessons learned and the bonds formed will lay the foundation for future success, as the team continues to grow and develop in the seasons to come.