Fall has arrived in Walla Walla and today we hit the courts for our first team practice. It is excruciating as a coach waiting for everyone to get settled with classes before kicking off team practice. The good news is that the team comes in fairly fit and excited and we have a few weeks to prepare for the Fall ITA tournament at Linfield Oct 3rd-5th where we will defend our singles and doubles titles without either player who won those.
One of those players, doubles All-American, Katie Oost has hopped the fence and is now enjoying the power of being our assistant coach. Elise Otto, as a junior, is spending the fall abroad as so many Whitties do.
Our incoming class includes two Californians, Alyssa Roberg from Santa Cruz and Danielle Broida from Santa Barbara. Both players bring a lot of talent and excitement to the team.
From Wisconsin, we have Dena Wessel, whose footspeed and ability to punish short balls will be as much of an asset as her amazing personality (and spf 70 sunblock).
Finally, we have two Washingtonians (is that right?); Lauren Olson from Seattle and Kate Kunkel Patterson from Yakima. Each has a sibling who plays a sport at Whitman (Kate is the 3rd K-P to play for the women's team at Whitman!). Each is both athletic and mentally tough and I can't wait to see more tennis from them after they had successful high school campaigns.
Hopefully, we'll get around to getting some bio's of everyone up on the team website soon.
Best regards from sunny Walla Walla,
Coach Hein
