By PAT MULVIHILL

For The Beachcomber

The Vashon High School boys’ tennis team reached the midpoint of its season last week with away wins at Cascade Christian and Eatonville.

The wins bring the season record to 6-2, with both losses to a very strong Charles Wright Academy.

This year’s team is marked by skilled and experienced players throughout the lineup with seniors Tristan Krajcovic, Josh Tillman, Brett Beardsley, Preston Peterson, Payton Lieske, Aeryn Johns, Kyle Jonson and Andrew Hicthcock  all playing at different positions and contributing to wins. Freshman Mason Rice has also seen significant time playing with the varsity team and has played well and contributed to the  winning record.

Turnout  for the team was abnormally low this year, so the players on the small team are seeing a lot of playing time, but the lack of depth is problematic in the event of injury or illness.

The second half of the season should see more settled lineups and a focus on preparing for the post-season tournaments. The Pirates’ last home matches are Wednesday, Oct. 7, and Thursday, Oct. 8, against Klahowya Secondary and Cascade Christian.

The Pirates will then host the Nisqually League tournament beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22. The tournament determines which players will move on to the district tournament on Oct. 29 and possibly to the state tournament in the spring.

The league tournament should produce great matches as the Nisqually League has some very strong players again this year .

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