Photo by Emily HansonJolynn Sullivan, Melissa Martinez and Natasha Vargas were the only seniors on the Tonasket tennis team this year. Head coach Laura Temby spoke about each girl during the tennis banquet on Thursday, June 4, describing Vargas as the tea
TONASKET – The tennis team was honored with varsity letters and awards during the team banquet on Thursday, June 4.
The girls’ varsity team was recognized as distinguished scholars for having a team grade point average between 3.0 and 3.49.
Sophomore Brett Hendrick, who finished the season sixth in state, was honored with a Caribou Trail League All-League First Team award while sophomore Lee Leavell, who finished in the top eight at state, was honored with a CTL All-League Second Team award. Leavell and senior Jolynn Sullivan were also awarded the Sportsmanship Awards.
The team, which only had three seniors, had many first time varsity letters as well as returning varsity letters, which Temby said she thinks is a sign of a successful season.
Before addressing the athletes, head coach Laura Temby thanked Bomi and Naju Bharucha for taking care of the team uniforms and Tina Timmerman for organizing the first official fund raiser.
Finally, Temby addressed each of the three seniors. She said Natasha Vargas was the team’s sparkplug because she always had a positive attitude and made tennis fun to play. Temby said Sullivan was the team leader and team mother and always kept everybody on their best behavior. Melissa Martinez Temby described as having the hardest serve, stating that all of the boys wanted to practice hitting serves from her because she never went easy on them.
Though the tennis season is over, there were will be several tennis events this summer. Omak’s Mixed Doubles Fest will be from June 13 through the 14. The Mid-Valley Tennis Tournament for juniors is July 30 and 31 while the open is July 31 through Aug. 2. The phone number for Omak tourneys is 826-5552. The Tonasket No Elimination Tourney is on July 19 and the phone number is 486-0157. Finally, for information about the summer tennis camp, which is three two-week sessions of dedicated tennis for high school tennis players, tennis players should call 826-5552.
