The Olympia boys tennis coach has a situation that would make many coaches ecstatic: He has a strong and talented field of returning players, including three state-caliber singles players.
There’s junior Hunter Wood and sophomore John Stormans, who have been the Bears’ No. 1 singles players for the past two seasons, with each having made a state tournament appearance.
Then there’s the addition of senior transfer Will Topp, a finesse player who won the Class 2A state singles title last season for Bellingham’s Sehome.
The math isn’t in Olympia’s favor, however, with only two singles spots available for each match. As for who plays where, that remains to be determined.
“We’re still trying to figure that out,” Bailey said. “We really look good on paper.”
A scary thought for opponents is seeing Wood and Stormans playing doubles, but that’s exactly what they’re going to see at times.
Wood and Stormans each advanced to the Class 4A state tournament as freshmen. Stormans went 2-2 at state last May.
They plan to play doubles in upcoming tournaments. They’ve played together since their elementary schools days, but this will be their first time playing doubles together at the high school level.
“For our team to make a run at a state title, (playing doubles) would be the best way to do it,” Stormans said.
“We had the idea for a while,” Wood said. “We decided it would be a fun thing to do … a fun change to be doubles.”
Few would question if the No. 1 singles spot goes to Topp. He might be South Sound’s best unknown player, but he is well-known in the 2A ranks.
Last May, he won the 2A state singles title, winning his first three matches in two sets before defeating South Whidbey’s Riley Newman, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Topp was the runner-up as a sophomore – to Newman, no less – and he took third as a freshman.
In his three years at Sehome, Topp led the Mariners to back-to-back state team titles and compiled a 57-4 singles record before he moved with his family to Olympia this summer because of his mother’s new job.
Topp and his family lived in Olympia until he was 6 before moving to Bonney Lake and then Bellingham.
He hopes his success at Sehome can transfer well to the 4A level.
“Everything’s bigger here,” Topp said. “There’s a lot tougher competition.”
The rumor of Topp possibly landing at Olympia this summer caught the attention of many in the high school tennis community, including longtime Thomas Jefferson coach Andrew Buchan.
Buchan sent an e-mail to Bailey in August, asking whether the rumor was indeed true. And when Bailey replied with a yes, Buchan jokingly proclaimed the Bears as the team state champions for 2010.
Not so fast, Bailey said.
“We’re not looking at state or at district,” Bailey said, “We’re hoping in our own league that we can make a really nice run.”
For now, the Bears are working on the right combinations for different matches.
In Tuesday’s 4-1 non-league victory over Capital, Topp played No. 1 singles, defeating Capital’s Rohin Angy in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
Wood and Stormans teamed up in the No. 1 doubles spot and defeated Capital’s Anthony Litchfield and Luke Olson, 6-1, 6-3.
Bellarmine Prep has been Olympia’s nemesis the past few years with its depth, but the Sept. 21 match between the two teams could determine the Bears’ fate in the Narrows League 4A division.
The Zach doubles duo – seniors Zach Armenta and Zach Blakeslee – just missed out on a spot in the 4A West Central District III tournament last year.
Each one worked on his tennis game this summer at various area tournaments, including going head-to-head in singles competitions.
The depth they add could be the difference for the Bears down the stretch.
“This definitely is the strongest our team has looked in my three years,” Wood said.
“This is our best chance to win a league title,” Stormans. “But this year, I think we can do it.”
Meg Wochnick: 360-754-5473 mwochnick@theolympian.com
