The Hockinson Hawks boys tennis team’s inaugural season is allowing players a chance to represent their high school for the first time ever on the court.
During a match against the established Ridgefield Spudders, Wednesday, Sept. 18, the duo of junior Jahlen Miller and senior Aidan Willis shined in a tough two set win over Ridgefield’s Eli Miller and Shaun Tullis.
“Pretty awesome,” Miller described the feeling of representing Hockinson High School. “I’ve had to co-op with Prairie [High School] for the last two years, so it’s nice to actually be able to play at your own school and represent.”
Willis said he is enjoying representing the Hawks for his last year of school.
“I’m a senior, and I’ve been getting told since I was a freshman that we’re going to potentially have a team, so it’s really nice to be able to come out and play as a senior for my first and last season — just out here having fun,” Willis said.
Head coach Scott Fish said, with equipment readily available to borrow from the girl's tennis program, he has felt support from all levels of the school. He also encourages athletes of other sports to give it a shot on the court next year.
“For players that are interested in playing next year, it’s a good crossover sport for training in terms of like, if you’re a baseball player, it’s a different season, similar movement,” Fish said. “There’s a lot of opportunities to kind of use tennis to train in the off season for some players.”
The next home match for the Hockinson Hawks will be against Hudson’s Bay High School at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30.
