It seems almost cruel - kind of like a cliffhanger in a movie.
For two months every fall, Northwest District boys' tennis players work their way through the regular season and then through the district tournament. A handful of them are lucky enough to earn trips to the state tournament, and just before they would seem to reach the climax - darkness for six long months.
That's what happens when parts of the state play boys' tennis as a spring sport.
So, since October, players like Sehome's Avery West and Nick Smith have been playing in obscurity - heading to the Bellingham Tennis Club to play anybody they can find, but without the direction of Mariners coach Bonna Giller until early May.
"The disadvantage, obviously, is you have the regular season, then the district and then, boom, a lull," Giller said in a phone interview. "But the positive side to the whole deal is our guys are almost a year older. Avery has grown 5, 6 inches since the fall, and Nick has grown and gotten a lot stronger. They were young guys in the fall, and they developed into young men over the winter. They're smarter players, stronger, faster. I've seen them playing at the club, but I couldn't actually work with them until 20 days before state. The first day out, I could really see the pace they were putting on the ball had picked up and their footwork had really improved. They're so much stronger."
Smith hopes to use that extra strength to his advantage during the Class 2A State Championships, which finally get under way on Friday, May 25, at the Nordstrom Tennis Center on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.
While the extra inches and extra muscle definitely should benefit the junior, he believes the extra playing experience is what will pay off the most.
"I just spent the winter trying to play against a lot of better players," Smith said in a phone interview. "I wanted to play as many different people as I could so that I could get better. Playing better players makes you better."
Smith has come a long ways since he was a freshman playing exhibition matches. He moved into the No. 4 singles spot for Sehome as a sophomore, and moved all the way up to No. 2 singles behind West last fall.
"I think Nick really cares about the game and cares about improving," Giller said. "That comes with maturity, and Nick is a kid that has really matured the last three years. When he was a freshman, he was more about the social aspect, which is great, because when you're in a new place you need to fit in with the group. But he's developed into a much better tennis player, and that's because he's more dedicated to the sport."
Smith comes from a tennis family.
His mother, Stephanie, took up the sport shortly after Smith started in third grade.
His younger sister, Lauren, is a regular in area USTA tournaments and is expected to develop into a standout for Sehome as a freshman next year.
"It think it's a great family activity," Giller said. "Some families ski, some camp, some hike, some play tennis. I think it brings a family together closer."
Smith's mother and sister aren't his only tennis family, though.
He's a big part of the Mariners tennis family that Giller has tried to build at the school, getting advice, guidance and support from older players like Will Topp, William Giller and Bjorn Thorpe on the right ways to do things in the program.
"Those guys really helped me," Smith said. "I looked up to those guys when I was younger."
Now that he's making his first trip to state, Smith will likely have the next generation of Mariners looking up to him as a leader.
And as the No. 2 seed out of the district, he's got plenty for those players to look up to.
"He mixes his shots really well," Giller said. "He started as more of a baseliner - hitting the ball back and being more a defensive player. Now he's the one dictating points a lot more. He's moving his shots around well. Now I think he's looking to beat guys for points, rather than sitting back and trying not to get beat. His offense has changed a whole lot. That's what you need to do. It's hard to play at that top level without it. Plus Nick has more patience. Now he's waiting for the right opportunity to attack. He's a lot smarter that way. He's not rushing his shots, and that comes from maturity."
Smith said the extra physical maturity also will help him, as he's he has more speed, better footwork and a bigger serve than he had last fall.
With all those improvements, he said he feels ready to tackle the best the 2A singles draw has to offer.
"I'm been playing better players for a while now, so I know my overall game is better," Smith said. "I'm used to playing better players, and that helps you in a tournament like this. I need to take control of the point early on. I know if I don't take control early, my opponent will, and that will lead to a loss. ... I feel confident going into the tournament. I hope I will do well."
Reach David Rasbach at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or 360-715-2271.
2A BOYS' STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
When: Friday and Saturday, May 25-26
Site: UW Nordstrom Tennis Center, Seattle
WHATCOM COUNTY SINGLES
? Avery West (Sehome)
? Nick Smith (Sehome)
WHATCOM COUNTY DOUBLES
? Reed Welch/E.J. Troutman (Bellingham)
? Nolan Wolffis/Luke Reardon (Lynden)
3A BOYS' STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
When: Friday and Saturday, May 25-26
Site: Tri City Court Club and Kamiakin High School
WHATCOM COUNTY DOUBLES
? Tanner Hansen/Erik Arntsen (Ferndale)
Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.
