She showed last spring what she’s capable of accomplishing on the tennis court in No. 1 singles, advancing to state in her first season of high school competition.
And for an encore?
Kentwood’s Tess Manthou might just be turning her attention to the doubles side this spring.
“I am thinking about going doubles,” admitted the sophomore Manthou. “I really love doubles because there’s so much of a team aspect to it.”
Things could not have gone much better thus far for Manthou as she has dabbled in doubles play in three matches this spring, all of which were victories. Two of those wins came with teammate Niki Skinner (over Tahoma and Kentlake) while she teamed with Alyssa Nagai for the third (against Thomas Jefferson).
Not bad for a tennis player whose passion is on the volleyball court and who hadn’t picked up a racket this spring since she walked off the court at the end of state last season. Of course, getting back into the swing of things is nothing new to this Conqueror, who took several months away from the sport before last season to focus on volleyball.
“It has been a smooth transition,” Manthou admitted. “It actually was a lot easier getting into the game this year than last because I’ve stayed in shape playing volleyball.”
Manthou, a libero, is one of Kentwood’s top up-and-coming volleyball players. She competes with the Kent Juniors most of the year. That is, until tennis season arrives. Then she puts down the ball, picks up the racket and springs into gear.
Last season, Manthou was one of the few freshman in Washington to advance to the Class 4A state tournament. Qualifying for the sport’s grandest stage is again a big goal, though accomplishing the feat with a partner would be especially sweet.
“It would be great to go to state in singles one year, and go in doubles another,” she said.
State proved to be a family affair last spring for Manthou, whose older brother Max claimed his third consecutive Class 4A singles championship.
“It was so exciting. I was there Max’s first year and I didn’t understand because I wasn’t in high school at the time. I missed his second title, so last year I finally got what it was all about,” she said. “It was really great.”
For the time being, however, Manthou and the Conquerors are eyeing a South Puget Sound League North Division crown, something they last won in 2007. With Manthou, Skinner, Nagai along with seniors Eliana Spero and Aera Shin back in fold, among others, a team title is a distinct possibility. Kentwood entered the season last month bunched up with Auburn and Kentridge as legitimate challengers to this season’s title.
“I think it’s pretty wide open this year as to who’s going to win (the North),” said Kentwood coach Ingrid Bakke. “If we can beat either (Kentridge or Auburn), I think we have a shot. The girls believe they can do it. They have the tennis ability to do it.”
The Conquerors got off to a strong start, knocking off Tahoma (3-2) and Kentlake (5-0) in their first two league matches of the season. If Kentwood can get it done, much of its success will rest on Manthou’s capable shoulders.
And for Bakke, that’s a pretty good situation to be in.
“I would say right now she’s a little further along than she was last year at this time,” Bakke said. “Striking the ball … she’s hitting the ball very well. And she has a year of confidence under her belt, so she knows what to expect.”
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