SEATTLE — The Othello Huskies sent three girls to the 2A State Tennis tournament at Nordstrom Tennis Center over the weekend with senior Olivia Harris competing in singles and seniors Shaylee Freeman and Faith Risenmay competing in doubles. All three Huskies had successful seasons and were happy with the opportunity to compete at state. 

“I think we’ve all worked very hard for four years, so it was fun to be able to all go together because we’re all best friends, and to be able to play at state,” said Risenmay. “We all did really well.” 

Harris started out the competition Friday against Jenny Serebriakova from the Columbia River Rapids. The matchup proved to be tough as Serebriakova earned a 6-0, 6-0 victory and Harris was sent into the consolation bracket. 

The next match of the day put Harris against Lucy Cao from the Bremerton Knights. The two girls battled hard as Cao won the first set 6-2, but Harris tied the match up with a 6-1 win in the second set.  

“I felt really good about that match because I fell like that was the smartest and most intentional I played,” said Harris. “I thought about what I was doing and I tried to play really smart.” 

Unfortunately, Harris fell in a third set tiebreaker 0-6 and concluded her run in the state tournament. 

“It was a really cool experience just because the competition was actually insane,” said Harris. “ 

Getting into the state tournament was a long-time goal of hers, she said, and the amount of skill it took for her to reach this point is something the senior is very proud of. 

“Just having that goal in the back of my mind and actually being able to achieve it was really awesome,” said Harris. 

In doubles, Freeman and Risenmay started off Friday against a tough duo from North Kitsap. The North Kitsap girls won the first set 6-2, but the Huskies rallied to win the second set 6-4 to put the match into a third set that Othello won 6-4 to advance to the next round. 

“It was a really long match, but we fought really hard,” said Risenmay. 

The quarterfinal round put the Huskies against Tumwater’s duo that proved to be an even matchup. The first set went into a tiebreaker that the Othello duo won 7-5, and Tumwater evened the match up in the second set where the Huskies fell 4-6.  

The final set of the day remained close as the two teams battled it out, but Risenmay and Freeman gained the advantage to win 6-4 and qualify for the second day of competition.  

“We were exhausted, but we were able to pull through and win,” said Risenmay. “That was really exciting because when you win two matches it means you’re guaranteed to place.” 

Saturday’s competition proved to be even more fierce as Freeman and Risenmay went into the semifinals against Sehome and fell 6-2, 6-1 and moved on to the third/sixth place matchup. The Huskies ran into trouble in their final match of the season where they fell 6-0, 6-0 and placed sixth in the state. 

“I don’t know what it was if we were just tired from fighting so hard the first day, but we just didn’t pull through the second day,” said Freeman. “But we ended up placing sixth so that’s exciting.” 

Freeman said it was a great experience for her, after playing three sports throughout her whole high school career, to have the opportunity to compete in the state tournament to end her senior year.  

“Getting to go to state in my last season ever was really exciting for me,” she said. “I kind of feel like all my hard work finally paid off.” 

As the seniors look back on their careers with the sport, they said the friendships and experiences built over the years are something they will always cherish. Over the years, each of the girls said they built bonds with people both on and off the court. 

“You have so many people that are watching you and supporting you, and our bus driver, Jeff, was like my favorite person,” said Harris. “He would watch all of my matches that he could, so that was just amazing.” 

The Huskies also had silly moments over the years that they will always appreciate. 

“Our sophomore year I completely missed a ball, and it hit me in the head,” said Risenmay. “Just little things like that I can look back and laugh upon instead of feeling sad.” 

Huskies’ Girls Coach Priscilla Tovar said she enjoyed her time coaching each of these girls from the time they were freshmen and seeing their growth over the years was especially exciting. Each of the seniors showed hard work and dedication throughout their careers that impressed all of the coaching staff. 

“It’s not me, these girls put in the work,” said Tovar. “These girls just took in everything, and they fought hard and are so well deserved of going to state. I’m just proud of each and every one of them.” 

The coach said she was incredibly proud of the integrity that the seniors showed on the court in every match and how they showed respect to everyone during competitions. 

“I got complimented all the time from other coaches, so (I’m) just proud of them and I hope that my younger girls continue that,” said Tovar.  

Each of the girls plan on keeping tennis part of their lives after graduating and will continue practicing with friends and family who also enjoy the sport.  

“That’s one of my favorite things about tennis is that you can play it for the rest of your life with whoever,” said Freeman. “I’m going to college with my siblings and they’ve all played tennis so I’m going to get to play tennis with them.” 

The legacy that the seniors said they want to leave behind for the Othello tennis program is one of hard work and determination, but also that of kindness. 

“You can be a kind tennis player and still win,” said Risenmay. “People are mean, but you can still be kind and make good calls and still win. Just have good sportsmanship.” 

    Huskies’ senior duo Faith Risenmay and Shaylee Freeman talk with their coaches Caleb Tovar and Priscilla Tovar in between sets at the state tournament in Seattle.
  

    Olivia Harris, a senior from Othello, prepares to serve the ball at the Nordstrom Tennis Center for the state tourney.
  

    Othello Huskies seniors Olivia Harris, Faith Risenmay and Shaylee Freeman stand together ahead of their trip to Seattle to compete in the state tournament over the weekend.
  

    Huskies players Olivia Harris, Faith Risenmay and Shaylee Freeman are joined by their families in Seattle for the state tourney. Coach Priscilla Tovar said there was a large showing of support for the players at the tournament.