Late bloomer a force on the court

Mt. Spokane High School tennis player Jon Assmus wasn’t born with a tennis racket in his hand. In fact, he didn’t take up the game until his freshman year in high school.

It’s what he has done since that has helped him make his mark not only in the Greater Spokane League but in United States Tennis Association junior play in the Pacific Northwest.

Assmus was all-GSL in doubles play last spring, teaming up with Matt Dorr to qualify for the state tournament. That was the culmination of three years of year-round hard work to improve the quality of his game, but he’s not done yet.

“Since the first time I played three years ago,” he said, “I decided that I wanted to play college tennis. I didn’t really know what to expect my freshman year, because all I’d done was hit with my dad and with coach (Roger) Taylor, but they got me thinking I could make varsity.

“I loved it right away and started playing a lot. Coach (Marshall) Mah suggested after my freshman year that I start playing USTA, that it would help me to improve a lot. I met someone to play doubles with, and now I’ve worked my way up to champs division, which is the highest you can get in junior tennis.”

Assmus has had a remarkable run at Mt. Spokane, and the Wildcats have likewise had extraordinary success during his three years, going undefeated in league play during that time.

“My goal for the team is to win the GSL again,” Assmus said, “although with only two returning players that will be a challenge. My personal goal is to go undefeated individually.”

Assmus, who was unbeaten as a freshman and sophomore, didn’t lose during his junior year until the final match of the league season.

“Jon brings lots of experience, leadership and talent to a young team,” Mah said. “He’ll be a four-year letterman and is one of our co-captains and is a ranked player in the Northwest because of his tournament performances.”

Assmus will attend Spokane Falls Community College next year, but plans to play in a four-year college program eventually. And you know he’ll do what it takes to get there.