Washington’s doubles team finds its rhythm just in time
NEWS TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICES
Around Washington High School, the “Redemption Tour” has started.
No, the Beatles aren’t back together – but the Patriots’ doubles tandem of Josh Rasmus and Daniel Yu might be.
A week after losing a pair of matches, and finishing a disappointing fifth at the Class 2A West Central District championships, Rasmus and Yu have shown renewed focus in their quest for back-to-back 2A state titles.
They dominated Port Townsend’s Egan Cornachione and Benny Ryweck, 6-1, 6-3, in the quarterfinals at the Nordstrom Center in Seattle. And in the process, they pleased coach Earle McWright.
“I don’t think they took it for granted, but last week ... was a wake-up call,” McWright said. “It made it easy to be very focused, and this week we were very intentional at practice.”
One of their district losses can be avenged today in the semifinals at 9:30 a.m. Lindbergh High’s Boris Oaks and Bobby Huynh beat them, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, last week.
In an all-local 2A girls’ quarterfinal, Black Hills’ Julie Hansen reeled off four consecutive games in the final set to pull out a 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 triumph over Sumner’s Miriam Tuma.
“That girl (Hansen) found something extra,” Sumner coach Chris Heacox said.
CLASS 4A
Can anyone stop Federal Way High’s Mitch Stewart in the 4A boys singles’ bracket?
Stewart, the state runner-up last year as a ninth-grader, dropped one game in four sets – two match victories – to reach the semifinals at the Columbia Basin Racquet Club in Richland.
Stewart will play Eastlake High’s Vincente Veras in today’s final four.
“Mitch is more experienced, stronger, quicker and he is a better player now,” Federal Way coach Jerome Collins said. “He is continuing ... to grow in his game.”
In 4A boys’ doubles at Richland High School, the Olympia High tandem of Hunter Wood and John Stormans did not drop a set en route to the semifinals. They take on Newport’s Andrew Choi and Alec Tsutsumoto for the right to defending their state title.
CLASS 1A
Charles Wright Academy’s Daniel Ham reached the semifinals after winning two matches at the 1A/2B/1B championships at Yakima Tennis Club, and could play for his second state title today.
Ham defeated Zillah’s Troy Dunbar, 6-3, 6-4, in the quarterfinals.
