Prep tennis previews | At a glance

A look at the Auburn, Auburn Mountainview and Auburn Riverside boys tennis programs.

By Shawn Skager • October 8, 2014 8:04 pm
No. 1 singles player Bryan Thornquist powers the Trojans this season.
No. 1 singles player Bryan Thornquist powers the Trojans this season.

Auburn Mountainview Lions

• Coach: Dustin Hedger, 10th year

• Last season: 3-6, 4th place in South Puget Sound League 3A

• Key returners: Matt Howard, No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles; Keven Nguyen, No. 2 singles and No. 3 doubles; Chris Sorta, No. 1 doubles.

• Key newcomers: Garret Neiss, No. 1 doubles; Billy Boraphet, Hans Thorbjornsen, Matt Wong, Timmie Nguyen and Adam Rhoades.

• Outlook: “Our newcomers have acquitted themselves as hard-working, classy competitors who have done an outstanding job of upholding the positive character of this program,” Hedger said. “Along with our returning players who have led the team effort, I could not ask for a more receptive, respectful and caring group of guys. In every practice and every match we play together these guys find the balance of competing at their highest level while enjoying the journey every step of the way. They have an unwavering respect for each other, their coaches and their opponents. This team has risen above measuring their success by wins and losses and comes hungry to battle in every match. I could not be more proud of their efforts and their development.

“Our main goal for this season was to do our best, to be the best that we are possible of becoming and to enjoy the journey along the way,” Hedger added. “I think we have done a decent job at trying to live by that creed, taking one step at a time and focusing on the processes of achieving our success rather than the outcomes that we want but can’t always control.”

Auburn Trojans

• Coach: Philip Smetheram, 10 years

• Last season: 12-4 overall, 2nd place in SPSL 4A Central

• Key returners: Bryan Thornquist, sophomore, No. 1 singles, qualified for state 4A meet last year in No. 1 doubles; Peter Kravchuck, senior; and Vlad Emerliok, senior.

• Key newcomers: Troy Preshun, sophomore, singles and doubles; Mason Ruffin, freshman, doubles; Mike Spray, junior; Kendrick Smythe, junior; and Colton Abraham, junior.

• Outlook: With six seniors lost to graduation last year, this fall’s squad is almost completely new. Thornquist, however, provides continuity. Last season he and doubles partner Avinir Kravchuck went 16-0 in the regular season, competing at state where they lost in the first round to the eventual state champs.

This season, playing at No. 1 singles, Thornquist is already 7-1-1.

“The team is progressing really well. We know every week we just need to keep getting better,” Smetheram said. “We proved that … by beating Enumclaw 3-2. The first time we played them they beat us 2-3. They know through hard work and determination they will eventually see improvement, which is starting to transpire now. The team is looking forward to the new 3A league tournament, and they have high hopes. Our goal is to get a couple teams on to districts and then battle to get to state, the ultimate goal.”

Auburn Riverside Ravens

• Coach: Bruce Diehl, 20th season

• Last season: 3-7 in league, 5th place in SPSL 4A Central

• Key returners: Adrian Tong, No. 2 singles; Kyle Wuerch, Connor Airis; Aaron Nguyen;

• Key newcomers: Coby Tong, No. 1 singles; Connor Wate; Allen Acosta; Gustavo Racey.

• Outlook: So far this season the Ravens have proven themselves the team to beat in the new SPSL 3A. Led by the undefeated Tong brothers in the singles slots, the team is undefeated in league play at 12-0 and 13-1 overall.

All three Auburn teams begin play in the SPSL 3A League Tournament on Oct. 16 at a location to be determined.