∙ FAVORITES: Auburn.
∙ CONTENDERS: Kentridge, Kentwod.
∙ COULD SURPRISE: Tahoma, Kentlake, Kent-Meridian.
∙ LEAGUE OUTLOOK: As it was last season, this is an extremely balanced league, though Auburn, Kentridge and Kentwood are clearly at the head of the class. Flip a coin and on any given day any one of Auburn, Kentridge and Kentwood could beat one another. Kentridge picked up the first match against Auburn on March 25, so the Chargers may have an edge. Auburn rallied late last year to secure its first SPSL North title since 2003.
• NOTABLE: Kentridge has returned plenty of depth this season, led by senior Jazmin AhYat, who suffered a shoulder injury in the offseason and is not yet at full strength. AhYat, who plays No. 1 doubles, has rotated partners in the early season and should challenge for the North’s top spot whoever she’s with. Along with AhYat, the Chargers bring back Vicky Tran (No. 1 singles), Sunita Venkatesh (doubles), Beth Vanden Heuval (doubles) and Alissa Lee. This group, along with newcomers Katie Ly, Kyana Esber and Karissa Lau should help the Chargers challenge for a league crown. … Like Kentridge, Kentwood has the depth to challenge for the top spot in the North. Tess Manthou (No. 1 singles) is Kentwood’s top-returning player, but the talent pool hardly runs dry there. Also back in the fold are seniors Alyssa Nagai, Eliana Spero, Niki Skinner and Aera Shin. … Kentlake remains young, but the future is certainly bright for the Falcons, who return the sophomore contingent of Kara Ikeda, Kimmy Williams and Brenna Bickel, a group that complements junior Kelsey Wagner and senior Christine Rushton. … Kent-Meridian has a nice group to work with this spring, led by seniors Rosa Fernandez (No. 1 singles), Megan Ellis, Venus Lee, and Miranda Susnar. The Royals also have some pretty good numbers as juniors Anna Mardakova, Emily Hull and Jiwon Song also are back in action. … At 11-5 last spring, Tahoma finished just outside of the top-tier in the North and graduated standout Kelly Lehigh. However, the Bears were a deep bunch last year and bring back a considerable haul of talent, led by Ashley Lucas (No. 1 singles), Wafa Tafesh (No. 2 singles) and doubles tandem Sierra Southworth and Maria Bahlenhorst among others.
• SPSL NORTH RETURNING STATE PARTICIPANTS: Tess Manthou, Kentwood, No. 1 singles; Sandy Dennett, Auburn, No. 1 singles.
• BOOKMARK ON THE WEB: Thomas Jefferson coach Andrew Buchan puts together the finest prep tennis Web site in Washington (www.teambuchan.com). Buchan’s site not only tracks all the teams and matches in the South Puget Sound League, but everything else under the sun in regards to prep tennis as well.
CIRCLE ON THE CALENDAR
Auburn at Kentridge, Tuesday, April 27, 3:30 p.m.: The Chargers pulled off a pivotal win over the Trojans on March 25. If KR can get it done again, look out.
Tahoma at Kentlake, Thursday, April 30, 3:30 p.m.: Here are two teams going in the right direction. A close match should be in store.
Kentwood at Auburn, Wednesday, May 5, 3:30: If last year’s logjam at the top is any indication, this match very well could be for all the marbles.
