SOAP LAKE — As the spring tennis season approaches, excitement is palpable within the Soap Lake Tennis program. Head coach Lee Leavell said he remains optimistic about both the boys' and girls' teams as they begin a journey filled with hard work, growth and competition. Practices have kicked off, with Leavell noting an increase in participation this year.  

"We have quite a bit more kids this year turning out, which is really good to see," he said. "I think we're somewhere around 16 or 17 kids, which is a pretty good amount for our school."  

The mix of returning players and newcomers creates a unique dynamic in training sessions, fostering both competition and camaraderie. 

On the boys' side, there are five returning players and a group of four newcomers. Among those returners is Xavier Ewing, the only student from the team to make it to state last year. Leavell expressed high hopes for him.  

"He hit the floor running and is really practicing hard. I’m hoping for an even better season out of him this year,” Leavell said.  

Alongside Ewing is Francisco Ortega, who is poised to make a leap after narrowly missing state competition last season.  

"He was one match away from state, so I’m hoping to see a big season out of him this year." 

The girls' team presents a different composition, with only one returning player and several athletes returning from previous years.  

"I have three new girls playing this year," said Leavell. "It’s about finding success and building confidence for those girls."  

Janessa Knudsen, the sole returning player, is also anticipated to lead.  

"She has really taken a love for the game and is working hard every practice," Leavell said. 

The coaching staff is ensuring a well-structured training regimen, focusing on fundamental skills while also addressing scoring rules — one of the more complex aspects of tennis for newcomers.  

"Each day, we’ve been trying to tackle one or two strokes, like forehands and backhands, overheads and serves,” Leavell said. “By partnering up newer players with veterans, they get to learn both the technical skills and the game’s intricacies.” 

The team's culture is marked by coachability, Leavell said.  

"There's not a problem with egos on this team," he said. "The kids are very receptive to feedback. This willingness to learn contributes to their success."  

He said the environment appears to be healthy, with veterans stepping into leadership roles and helping newcomers navigate their tennis journey. 

As the season unfolds, Leavell plans to prioritize mental toughness.  

"You can be the world's best athlete, but if you don’t have mental toughness, you won't find success,” he said.  

He aims to instill a commitment within the athletes, encouraging them to show up consistently and strive for improvement daily.  

"It’s about showing up and grinding it out, even on days you don’t want to," he said. 

When discussing competition, Leavell expressed enthusiasm about several upcoming matches, particularly against teams from central Washington, including rivals Manson and Quincy.  

"Those will be good matches," he said. "We play pretty much all the central Washington B schools, and they always bring their A-game." 

Support from the community is an essential aspect of the team's morale, and Leavell is eager for fans to witness the hard work the players have invested.  

"I think it'd be nice to kind of come and watch these kids," he said. "They have worked so hard for this."  

Grateful for the backing from parents and the local community, he acknowledged individuals like Allie Bogerson—a parent who went above and beyond to support the team by providing transportation and accommodations for players during a preseason tournament. 

Looking ahead, Leavell's goals for the boys' team are twofold: to take additional players to state while nurturing their growth and experience at high-level competition.  

For the girls, the focus is on gaining confidence through success in matches.  

"If I can get them to get a couple wins, I feel like that would be a really good goal for them," he said. 

Soap Lake Boys and Girls Tennis Schedule 

March 19 @ Oroville High School 4 p.m.     

March 24 vs. Entiat Middle/High School 4 p.m. 

March 26 vs. Pateros Junior/High School 4 p.m. 

March 29 vs. Lake Roosevelt High School 10 a.m. 

April 14 @ Entiat Middle/High School 4 p.m. 

April 16 @ Pateros Junior/High School 4 p.m. 

April 18 @ Okanogan High School 4 p.m. 

April 21 vs. Oroville High School 4 p.m.  

April 23 @ Manson High School 4 p.m.  

April 25-26 — 78th Inland Empire Tennis Championships  

April 28 @ Liberty Bell Jr/Sr High School 4 p.m.  

April 30 vs. Tonasket High School 4 p.m.  

    The Soap Lake boys' and girls' tennis teams began practice at the beginning of March. Head Coach Lee Leavell said the team is bigger than it was last year with around 16 or 17 students competing.
  

    The Soap Lake boys and girls tennis teams practice on the courts March 3 for their upcoming season. A handful of the players are returning but a good majority of the teams are new players.