BOYS TENNIS: Kentridge in search of fourth straight SPSL North title

Parity?

There hasn’t been much of it on the South Puget Sound League North Division boys tennis scene for many, many years.

Kentridge has waltzed its way to three straight undisputed league crowns, and shared one in 2006 with Kentwood. In fact, during the past decade, only four teams have won at least one league championship — Kentridge (4), Kentwood (3, all of which were shared), Auburn Riverside (3, one of which was shared) and Sumner.

That missing parity?

It could be back on the local courts this fall.

“A lot of good, really talented players graduated,” said Kentridge coach Bob Armstrong. “I think we’ll give everybody a run for their money.”

Indeed the Chargers will. But the same could be said throughout the league.

“The league is much stronger this year. I know Kent-Meridian has got a lot of good players back and so does Kentlake,” said Kentwood coach Ingrid Baake. “Every match this year I think is going to be tough.”

Armstrong and Baake both know all about graduating talented player.

Key pieces from last year’s Kentridge team who graduated in the spring include Matt Overland (No. 1 singles), Garrett Ballou (No. 2 singles), Vineeth Omkaram (doubles) and Paul Yi (doubles), all of whom advanced to state a year ago. Down the road at Kentwood, however, the scene is much the same. The Conks graduated star Max Manthou, a four-time state singles champion, along with state competitor Tucker Siegert.

“There’s a ton of change this year,” said Kentwood coach Ingrid Baake. “It’s going to be interesting.”

While there’s plenty of turnover this fall, Kentridge and Kentwood find themselves in similar boats. That is, each team’s top player — Vincent Lin at Kentridge and Kentwood’s Alex Noyes — both will be transitioning from doubles to singles. Noyes teamed with Siegert in the spring to bring home a fourth-place medal from state. Lin also advanced to state in doubles.

“Just in our division, I think (Vincent and Alex) might be right near the top,” Armstrong said.

And while Kentridge and Kentwood are trying to find the right mix during the early season, Kent-Meridian and Kentlake returned enough talent this fall to make a revamped SPSL North — with Mount Rainier entering the league and Auburn moving to the Central — more exciting than ever.

Those returners at Kent-Meridian include: Rory Jens, Mack Snider, Kyle Engman and Reider Riveland. The Falcons also return a strong bunch, including Kyle Thomas, Kyle Woo, Brandon Wilson, and Shane Wilson.

“I really don’t think anybody knows what’s going to happen,” Armstrong said.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Alex Noyes, Kentwood; Ryan Proffitt, Kentwood; Chris Rumer, Kentwood; Paul Lennick, Kentwood; Vincent Lin, Kentridge; Howard Lin, Kentridge; Alex Yi, Kentridge; Matt Lee, Kentridge; Henry Ly, Kentridge; James Dugan, Kentridge; Aadil Diwan, Kentridge; Rory Jens, Kent-Meridian; Mack Snider, Kent-Meridian; Kyle Engman, Kent-Meridian; Reider Riveland, Kent-Meridian.