The Bonney Lake Boys Tennis team is entering a new chapter as they step up to the SPSL 4A league for the 2024-2025 season and beyond. This transition brings a mix of excitement and uncertainty, with the team poised to face fresh challenges and opportunities in a league that has expanded from 10 to 12 teams. The restructuring sees Bellarmine move to 3A, while Bonney Lake, Spanaway Lake, and Yelm join the SPSL 4A ranks.
Currently, the SPSL is divided into North and South divisions:
SPSL North
- Bethel
- Bonney Lake
- Graham-Kapowsin
- Olympia
- Spanaway Lake
- Yelm
SPSL South
- Curtis
- Emerald Ridge
- Puyallup
- Rogers
- South Kitsap
- Sumner
In this new configuration, Bonney Lake's boys' tennis team has a promising outlook. The team retains nearly its entire varsity lineup from last season, providing a solid foundation of experience and leadership. Senior Gavin Orozco, the top-ranked player, will return as the anchor of the squad. The formidable doubles teams, including seniors Thomas Howard and Jerimiah Mam (last year's #1 doubles), as well as Adam Quinto and Holden Mann (last year's #2 doubles), are also back. Senior Jarrett Sroka the #2 singles, junior Evan Lane, and sophomore Cameron Munsch round out a strong returning group that promises depth and versatility.
As Bonney Lake adjusts to life in the 4A division, their biggest asset may be the sheer number of players in the program. With the largest turnout in the team’s history, the future of Bonney Lake tennis looks brighter than ever. This depth will be crucial as they face off against teams like Emerald Ridge and Rogers, both of which have seen significant turnover in their rosters, creating potential openings for the Panthers to climb the standings.
As the season unfolds, the eyes of the SPSL will be on Bonney Lake to see if they can rise to the occasion and solidify their place among the 4A elite. If their blend of seasoned leadership and youthful talent can come together as expected, the Panthers might just surprise the league and make a deep run this year.
Team Previews
Curtis: Curtis is the team to beat this season. After finishing 3rd last year with an 8-3 league record, they boast the highest power 6 ranking in the division. Their roster is deep and experienced, with many players active in USTA competitions during the offseason. Despite not sending any players to state last year, their veteran lineup sets them up for a strong season. Their top two players, Noah McNaughton and Kai Mueller will be leading the charge for the Vikings this year.
Olympia: Olympia finished 7th last year but enters this season with a more experienced team, having only lost two seniors. Although they graduated key player Zachary Song, their top player, Troy Bussey, returns as a senior, making them a projected top contender.
Sumner: Sumner was dominant last year, going undefeated and seeing their doubles team finish 6th at state. However, with the departure of nine seniors, they are likely in a rebuilding phase. Still, given their tradition of excellence, they remain a team to watch.
Puyallup: Puyallup ended last season 6th with a 4-6 record and faces a rebuilding year after losing seven seniors.
Emerald Ridge: With a 5-6 record last year and 13 seniors graduating, Emerald Ridge will look very different this season. Their depth is now a question mark, providing Bonney Lake with a potentially more favorable matchup.
Rogers: Rogers finished right behind Emerald Ridge with a 4-5 record. They have retained most of their top players, including juniors Brandon Lieu and Bryce Canion. Rogers' depth and off-season USTA activity suggest they could be significant contenders, particularly in 2026.
South Kitsap: South Kitsap struggled last season, finishing 0-9. However, they return almost their entire team, which consists mainly of seniors, led by top player Teo Aguilo. This experience could help them improve.
Bethel: Bethel had a tough season, going 3-7. With seven seniors graduated and their top players gone, it will be interesting to see how their new leaders step up.
Graham-Kapowsin: Known more for their domination in other sports, like football, GK had a 0-5 tennis record last year and the lowest power 6 ranking. Junior Gavin Thompson's leadership will be crucial for their prospects this season.
Yelm: New to SPSL 4A, Yelm's previous season ended 0-10. With limited information on their current roster, their competitiveness remains to be seen.
Spanaway Lake: Familiar foes for Bonney Lake, Spanaway Lake joins from PCL 3A. They finished 5th last season but lost their top player, Zane Pickett. Their depth is uncertain, making them a bit of a wildcard.
Conclusion
For Bonney Lake, the move to SPSL 4A is a significant step up, but with strong leadership and a returning varsity squad rich in talent and experience, the team is well-positioned to make a strong showing. This season holds the promise of proving why they deserve their spot in the higher division, potentially making waves in their new league. As they chase Olympia in the North division, Bonney Lake has the opportunity to solidify their presence and maybe even vie for the league title.
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