It’s hard for Auburn girls tennis coach Crystal Wisness to contain her excitement when she watches her tennis team play.

“I try to stay back and watch and calm myself,” Wisness said. “But you know it’s hard.”

These days Wisness and the rest of the team have a lot to be excited about.

This past Thursday Auburn defeated Kentwood 3-2 in its final regular season match of the year. The win – powered by No. 1 singles player Sandy Dennett’s 6-2, 6-5 win over Tess Manthou – secured the South Puget Sound League North title for the 13-3 Trojans.

In addition, the win capped a perfect 14-0 season for Dennett in the No. 1 singles spot.

Mariah Siemion and Peyton Prothero also were victorious in their No. 1 doubles match, beating Alyssa Nagai and Breana Esber 6-4, 6-4 to complete a 10-0 undefeated season.

Sandi Mihaylova also contributed, defeating Korin Hedlund 6-2, 6-4 to run her season record to 5-0 at the No. 2 singles spot.

“I guess I’m still amazed at how my girls have kept such a high level,” Wisness said. “But they’re a steady group of girls, they don’t get freaked out, they get up for the matches themselves.”

With the SPSL North title in their pocket, the Auburn girls began the SPSL sub-district tourney on Monday at Kent-Meridian, with Dennett, Prothero and Siemion cutting a swathe through the competition.

Dennett defeated Eliana Spero of Kentwood, 6-1, 6-0 in the first round and Tahoma’s Kelly Lehigh, 6-0, 6-0 in the second to set up a rematch with SPSL North rival Kim Quach.

“Watching Sandy play Quatch for the third time, even she was worried,” Wisness said. “Beating her three times in a row is tough.”

But not insurmountable for Dennett who defeated the hard-hitting senior from Kentridge 6-1, 6-2, and qualifying for the championship match against Decatur sophomore Megan Cassens on Wednesday,

Results were unavailable at press time.

For Siemion and Prothero, despite a misstep in their second match according to Wisness, the road to the championship match has also been wide open.

“Mariah and Peyton struggled a little in their first match,” she said. “Then yesterday (Tuesday) they came out ready. They had a mental lapse and took care of it.”

Prothero and Siemion played Sammie Teigen and Sarah Betteridge of Curtis for the SPSL No. 1 doubles title on Wednesday, with results unavailable at press time.

Next on the bill for the Trojans is the West Central District meet which begins this Wednesday at Sprinker Recreation Center in Tacoma.

According to Wisness, the team is ready.

“They’re mentally tough and just tough tennis players,” Wisness said. “Sandy always brings her ‘A’ game. She doesn’t let up.”