The 2016 boys’ tennis team got off to a great start this fall. After graduating 10 of the 12 players from last year’s team, there were only two returners, and it was questionable as to whether there would be enough players for a team. Instead, there was a large turnout of 19 new players joining the two returners.

Most of the new players were freshmen or sophomores, so it was a really young team to start the season.

The season began with the Pirates playing the same three very strong teams twice (always tough Charles Wright, senior-laden Cascade Christian and talented South Kitsap). Vashon was shut out the first time through these matches, but the second time around, the matches were closer and the team began winning a few individual matches. Vashon finally won a match 5-0 at Clover Park and then lost a heartbreaker at Fife 3-2. Vashon then won a close home match with Bush 3-2 before the rest of the schedule was rained out.

During the regular season, the Pirates’ normal lineup was Wyatt Keppler and Towner Anderson playing singles, Mason Rice and Finley Oswald at doubles, Hank Rogers and JJ Bogaard at doubles and Cameron Bedard and Sam Profit at doubles. Also playing some nice tennis for the varsity when lineup changes were necessary were Malcolm Henry, Alex Hitchcock, Isaac Ajeto and Colin Pottinger.

The league tournament was held on indoor courts at Sprinker Tennis Facility on Oct. 20, and Vashon sent six players: Keppler, Anderson, doubles Rice/Oswald and doubles Rogers/Bogaard. The boys rose to the occasion as Anderson eliminated Keppler, and Rice/Oswald eliminated Rogers/Bogaard. The winners finished in third and fourth place respectively and will move on to the district tournament Thursday.

The tennis played at the league tournament validated the improvement this year’s team made in a short, rainy season.

— Pat Mulvihill is head coach of the boys’ tennis team.