Tennis: Post Season

Grace Mcdevitt (12) prepares to serve and begin her singles match against her opponent from Chelan High School.   Photo Credit: Allison Romero (10) 

As the regular season came to an end, Cascade Kodiak tennis qualifiers continued to the Caribou Trail League (CTL) championship tournament at Lake Chelan Shores. The District 5 tournament was hosted five days later and was located at Connell High School. This is where the top five boy singles and doubles teams, as well as the top four girls singles and doubles, were decided and determination was made of who would compete at State.  

Lola Rieke (9) and Mcdevitt earned their spot in the state champions for girls singles. Caden Peterson (12) and Jonas Johnson (12) earned their spot for boys' doubles. “At districts, it was pretty easy. For districts, there was one team from Chelan who we had lost two times this season and we faced them in the finals. So that was pretty challenging. But we did beat them then. I mean at state it's just the private schools, especially from Seattle, so it's not a really close match,” said Caden Peterson (12). 

“The girls came close to winning districts. I think we did pretty well. This is a sport where the more you play the better you get, so you run into some people that have played more. At state they played to the best of their potential. They...got beat up a little bit, but it is what it is. I am proud that most kids had fun, almost everybody had fun. I hope my players take lots of life lessons with them, but the most important thing is you get out of it what you put into it, which is a big motto of mine," said Coach Mark Hassinger. 

 I am proud that most kids had fun, almost everybody had fun. I hope my players take lots of life lessons with them, but the most important thing is you get out of it what you put into it, which is a big motto of mine," said Coach Mark Hassinger. 

This season came to an end, but not before celebrating the tennis seniors with an annual end-of-the-season party. This event was hosted at the Osborn tennis courts. Players were welcome to bring a person who is not on the tennis team to play with or against.  There were hamburgers and drinks; players could also choose to hang out with their peers. It was an event to mark the end of the season and celebrate the seniors and their accomplishments. 

This year, head Coach Hassinger is retiring after numerous years of coaching. He has been providing popcorn during home games, cleaning up the courts before the season, and making sure his players have fun while playing tennis. All the effort Hassinger put into tennis throughout the years has been recognized by the players and their families. “He’s always been very supportive and always pushed us to be the best player we can be in whatever capacity that means to us. He also understands that we’re student athletes, and that school comes before sports,” said Hazel Eschen (12). 

Join the Hassinger family as they invite the community to celebrate Coach Hessinger’s retirement on June 14 from 1PM until 4PM at their home.