EHS Senior Doubles Team Leads Charge in Another Strong Season

The Enumclaw girls tennis program has been a perennially strong program for years. The Hornets have a record of 106-2 in their last 108 regular season matches. The 2011 edition is carrying on this tradition paced by the No. 1 doubles team of seniors Bedda Johnson and Gina Sanders, who have a career record of 41-2 in doubles competition and are coming off of a championship win at the South Kitsap Invitational on April 16.

"We were down a couple times in that tournament but we picked it up and beat Gig Harbor for the championship," Johnson said.

Johnson and Sanders have taken different paths in their tennis journey before playing together at Enumclaw; they've since come together to become a championship caliber team.

Johnson said, "I got my start playing tennis with my family growing up."

Sanders said, "I got my start during my freshman year at Enumclaw when I decided to come out for the team."

The key traits to being a successful doubles team in tennis would be a combination of communication and chemistry, and both Johnson and Sanders feel very strongly about their ability to execute both of those traits.

"We communicate very well," Sanders said. "We are really used to playing with each other since we have done it for so long."

Johnson said, " I feel we pick each other up a lot."

Hornets head coach Rick Carel lauded his senior doubles team for their leadership and the example they set for the rest of the squad.

"(Gina and Bedda) are first class people and really good tennis players," Carel said. "They are also good listeners and set a strong example for the rest of the team."

Enumclaw had to replace four players off last year's squad but have not seemed to miss a beat, as even when it has been rainy they have been able to still get their work done and get better everyday.

"We practice locally on a indoor court," Johnson said

Sanders added, "It's actually in a barn that a local doctor has the court inside of."

The Hornets, with just one loss to reigning class 4A champion Decatur, are looking forward to their rematch today in pursuing the quest for the state tournament in late May.

"We have come so far and if we beat Decatur we will be tied for the lead in the SPSL," Carel said. 

He also discussed the value of having multi-sport athletes like Johnson and Sanders who are also so successful on the tennis court.

"Bedda is a cross country runner, and Gina plays volleyball," Carel said. "I like having two or three sport athletes and then I teach them to play tennis."

For Johnson and Sanders, with this being their senior season, they have an additional sense of urgency and purpose in their quest for state.

"We have big plans to try and go far as we can," Johnson said.

Sanders said, " We want to give (Decatur) a run for their money, and get to state as well."

Enumclaw travels to Decatur for a SPSL 3A Girls Tennis showdown today. The match starts at 3:30 p.m.