Skyview's Sammi Hampton will be playing for a fourth WIAA Class 4A state singles title in Richland this weekend. She is undefeated in her high school career, dropping just two sets.
Flash back to 2012 when Skyview’s Sammi Hampton was a freshman.
Hampton was the one who knocked off three-time WIAA Class 4A state tennis finalist senior Megan LaLone of Stanwood in three sets for her first state title.
Three years and three state titles later, Hampton is now the senior with the big goal of making it four state titles on her racket with a potential finals matchup looming against a very good freshman in Vivian Glozman of Newport (Bellevue).
“I think everything (this season) has prepared me well and I’m ready,” Hampton said of heading to her final state tournament. “Everyone expects me to win. I expect myself to win because I’ve worked really hard for it.”
The 4A tournament is Friday and Saturday at Richland.
Hampton is undefeated in her high school career, losing only two sets of which both were in a state final of her freshman and sophomore seasons.
Sonja Olejar of Bellarmine Prep is the only four-time WIAA 4A state girls singles champion, having done it from 1989-92. And just three girls over all WIAA classifications have won four singles titles.
Hampton said she does feel some pressure in her pursuit of a rare fourth title.
“It’s pressure because it’s something I’ve wanted my whole life, and now it’s actually here,” she said. “It’s one of my biggest goals in tennis.”
Hampton has been ranked No. 1 in the United States Tennis Association Pacific Northwest Section in girls 18s since the end of last season. Glozman is ranked No. 1 in the 16s age group.
But for Hampton, it’s still one match at a time.
“I don’t want to think about that final match because I might start to freak myself out,” Hampton said.
Hampton isn’t the only player from the 4A Greater St. Helens league with a title to defend.
Senior Jenn Lewis and sophomore Hannah Gianan of Camas seek a repeat in 4A doubles.
“I’m anxious, but so excited. It’s my last year, and I’ve been to state all four years,” said Lewis, who can place for a third time in doubles.
In the 3A state tournament at Kennewick, Prairie senior Akari Baba is considered one of the favorites for the singles championship. It will be her fourth trip to state, and she’s coming in 16-0 against 3A opponents on the season. She won a doubles state title as a freshman with her sister, and placed third last year in singles.
Looming in front of Baba is a potential quarterfinal against Viv Daniel of Lakeside. Daniel beat Baba in a three-set semifinal match last year. Defending champ Catherine Allen of Holy Names Academy is in the top half of the bracket.
And watch for the Mountain View boys team to make a run for a team state title. The Thunder are one of five 4A teams with three state entries: Colton Reed in singles and doubles teams Tyler Sparling/Nick Shiraishi and Justin Yee/Mark Bajtay.
Reed is making his third trip to state and first in singles. He played doubles with Shiraishi last year at state and placed third in doubles in 2013. Sparling is making his second state appearance having made the doubles draw in 2012.
