SOAP LAKE — Soap Lake High School tennis coach Lee Leavell begins the 2026 season with the largest roster he has seen in his six years leading the program – around 24 athletes, a turnout he calls both exciting and bittersweet. 

“It’s very senior heavy,” Leavell said. “I’m really excited for it, because it’s my last run with this group of kids that I’ve had for a long time. I’m just trying to enjoy it and telling the kids they need to enjoy the season.” 

With so many upperclassmen, Leavell said the team’s goals center on savoring the experience as much as competing.

“This is the last sport a lot of them will ever do competitively,” he said. “Make it memorable. Enjoy the next two or three months you have.” 

The Eagles return several standout players, including Xavier Ewing, who took third in state last year as a junior and enters his senior season very motivated, Leavell said. Another senior boys singles player, Francisco Ortega, narrowly missed a state berth but is expected to contend again.  

On the girls side, junior singles player Janessa Knudsen returns after a strong 2025 campaign and is “one to really watch out for,” the coach said.  

Leavell said every senior plays a meaningful role in the program’s culture and momentum. Seniors this year include Ewing, Ortega, Jocsan Sanchez‑Cruz, Christian Minniker, Jade Lopez, Riley Frazier and Tanya Zubritsky. 

“All of my seniors are ones to look out for,” he said. “They’re all super excited and want to do the best they can this year.” 

The unusually large turnout reflects a rising interest in the sport among Soap Lake students. 

“In small schools, I’m usually recruiting kids a month or two before the season,” Leavell said. “This year I was trying to keep my mouth shut, and I still had 20‑plus kids. I think returners have told friends, ‘Hey, this is a really great sport,’ and people are starting to realize that.” 

Limited court space creates logistical challenges, he said, but it’s a good challenge to have. 

Leavell praised the team’s parent support, from driving athletes to summer tournaments to surprising the team with pizza after practice. He also credited assistant coach Clarissa Larsen for her commitment. 

“She’s awesome,” he said. “She cares about these kids just as much as I do.” 

Soap Lake opens its season at home against Oroville High School on March 18. 

“Even if you're not a tennis fan, it's always fun to go watch kids that you know and see them enjoying things and doing something that's a healthy outlet,” Leavell said. “Come and support them and cheer them on.”