Mountain View will get between 40 and 45 players this fall. It will be even more at Camas, just as many at Union and Skyview and Prairie, and well, everywhere.
Mountain View is unique because the Thunder have played in two classifications in the last four years. This will be year No. 3 in the 4A Greater St. Helens League. The team has lost just twice in 4A and 3A GSHL league matches in four years.
Success will bring out players, but so will word that being part of the team is fun.
“It’s really fun overall,” Mountain View sophomore Vincent Hsu said. “There’s such good teamwork and friendships that are made here. I just like the experience of working as a team and trying to win matches.”
Hsu and his brother Edmund, who graduated last year, placed eighth at state in doubles last spring. Vincent said he’s been playing tennis for five or six years, and said it will be different for him this year without his brother.
“The team will help fill the gap,” he said.
Frost has been with the program for 10 seasons, the last four as head coach. He said in the beginning he would have to recruit some to get players to turn out, but that’s not the case anymore. The players bring their friends and it’s worked out well.
“I haven’t had to have meetings to get players to come out,” he said.
Frost said once the team gets going, they push each other every day to get better.
“It encourages (the players) to work harder,” he said. “It’s all hard work. We motivate, we encourage, we stress determination and for this program we preach that — hard work pays off. It’s a no-cut sport and that is huge. For the JV and C teams, it’s all about fun. For the varsity, it’s a bit different. We push them but have fun as well.”
Frost said he encourages his players to all be friends and that helps them get better as players and people. He’s not surprised the end results.
“What surprises me is how close these kids are,” Frost said. “The surprises come off the court. These kids are second to none.”
STORYLINES FOR 2018
4A GSHL Singles Throne Vacant: The top four singles players the last several seasons have graduated including two-time state champ Andrew Kabacy of Skyview, and third-place state finisher Gunnar Harlan of Battle Ground. Underclassmen ready to make a move up might include Skyview junior Jonathan Hutley, or Union junior Kyle Mosier or sophomore Brayden Shoemaker (state qualifiers as a doubles team) or Camas sophomore Jake Gianan or senior Rylan Marshall.
New 4A GSHL Champs: For the second year in a row Skyview is raising a 4A state team title banner over its courts this fall. In the last three years, Union has been right up there in the 4A GSHL with three league titles and a 25-3 record in league matches. And never count out Camas with its depth. “It’s a big transition year for the league, but a great opportunity for guys who have been playing behind top players in the state,” Skyview coach Jay Gowen said.
Big Changes at Prairie: The Chris Linquist Tennis Facility will see its first matches this fall, but the Falcons longtime coach retired after 34 years as coach. Taking Linquist’s place is one of her former players, Stefan Lagielski. He was a state placer in doubles for the Falcons and will bring that experience to the red courts at Prairie.
Mountain View Favored: This will be a tall order for the other 3A GSHL teams as the Thunder set sights on a third straight 3A GSHL team title with six returning varsity players and two incoming freshmen that could crack the varsity lineup.
River’s Undefeated Run: The Chieftains are 15-0 in 2A GSHL matches the past two seasons, on top of going 6-0 in the 3A GSHL three years ago. Columbia River will depend on some younger players to keep the streak alive, but returns five all-league players. Among them are junior Wilson Keller Jr. (first-team singles), and junior Max Firstenburg (first-team doubles), plus experience from senior Nate Kessi (second-team singles).
