GSL Preview Tennis

Boys

The GSL had three quarterfinalists in the State 4A tournament last year, and two return – Ben Gullickson, a junior from Lewis and Clark, and Whitman Hough, a sophomore who competes for Ferris. Gullickson ended up making the consolation semifinals after winning the regional championship, while Hough was eliminated in the consolation second round. … Mt. Spokane won the team title last year for the third consecutive time, and has senior Jon Assmus playing No. 1 singles. Assmus made all-league as a doubles competitor last year and beat Gullickson 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 as the Wildcats defeated LC 4-3 in a big early-season meeting March 28. Assmus is 3-0 at No. 1 early in the season. … Clarkston’s Richard Muszynski III made all-league in singles last year, and opened this year playing No. 1 for the Bantams. He dropped only one game in his first two league matches. … Hough, last year’s district champion, hasn’t been challenged either, losing two games in three No. 1 matches for the Saxons, which lost the championship match to Mt. Spokane last year and opened up 4-0 this season.

Girls

Another Tiger could fill the hole left by Gullickson’s departure, as LC junior Elise Otto is the defending Inland Empire Tournament champion. Otto also made the consolation semifinal of the State 4A tournament and opened this year with three wins at No. 1 singles. … LC is the defending league champion, but opened with losses to University and East Valley. The Tigers beat Ferris in the league championship, and the Saxons ought to challenge again. Ferris is off to a 4-0 start and returning all-leaguer Katie Griffith is undefeated at No. 1. … Gonzaga Prep went eight years without losing a league match, and now after a two-year LC championship run, the Bullpups have opened 3-0 and lead the American Division.

J.D. Larson