Once Overlake coach Bill Armstrong’s tennis players make it to the Class 1A state tournament, they generally do very well. Keith Wilkes, a 2008 graduate, is the perfect example. Wilkes advanced all the way to the championship match before being losing in the finals to Tyson McGuffin of Chelan.

But the problem in the past has been getting Owl players to state.

Overlake’s league, perhaps the toughest in the state, contains tennis juggernaut University Prep along with a number of other competitive schools vying for four state spots.

“It’s so hard to get out of our league. Our battle is going to be with the defending state champions (University Prep) who didn’t lose anybody,” Armstrong said. “Our league tournament is the toughest in the state, and if we get out of there, quad-districts is the toughest districts in the state.

“It’s very competitive, and it’s always been that way.”

SOLID SENIORS

This year Overlake returns a crop of three talented seniors in Pratik Keni, Ed Samson and Boris Rozenberg with state aspirations, along with some capable underclassmen.

Leading the way for doubles will be Keni, who will likely team with junior Trevor Partington as the Owls’ No. 1 tandem.

“Pratik has been a rock,” said Armstrong of Keni, who two years ago made it to the league tournament and last season earned a spot at the quad-district tourney. “Everyone he has played doubles with, he just makes better. He’s always steady, he’s always there. He’s Mr. Dependable.”

The two singles spots will be led by Samson, a 6-foot-5 senior who uses his long arms and a big serve to overpower opponents.

“I just want to come back fiercer and stronger, get better, improve my game and bring the team together,” said Samson on his season goals. “I hope to bring some energy this year and overall make it a better team.”

Also vying for a singles spot is Rozenberg, whose stylish play is fun to watch, according to Armstrong.

“Boris has a classic stroke,” he said. “Big serve, big volley.”

PUMA POWERHOUSE

If the Owls look to break through and win the league, they will have to upset University Prep, the defending Emerald City champions who did not lose one player to graduation last season.

A tall order, for sure.

“I’d love to win the league, but University Prep is who we’re going to measure ourselves with. We know how good they are,” Armstrong said. “If that’s not possible, we want to nail down the second spot and get as many kids to quad-districts as possible.”

Armstrong added that athletes don’t have to commit to singles and doubles at the district level, which tends to open up more possibilities to match up against opponents.

But most importantly, the seniors themselves know that they have paid their dues and are ready to close out their prep tennis careers on a high note.

“Our goal is to really compete for a state title,” Rozenberg said. “All three of us have improved tremendously from not starting, to starting, to being a big part of the team.”

Added Samson, “I’m hoping to make it all the way to state. It’ll be great to finish on a big bang.”

HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS AT A GLANCE

OVERLAKE OWLS

• Head coach: Bill Armstrong, 25th season

• Last year: Second place in Emerald City League

• 2008 turnout: 30.

Key returners

• Sr. Pratik Keni: Rock-solid player makes everyone around him better. “The consummate doubles partner‚Äîsteady, positive, focused, determined,” according to Armstrong.

• Sr. Ed Samson: Great all-around athlete. Tall and strong with a powerful serve, Samson’s much-improved consistency since last year will pit him against the best from other schools as a singles player.

• Sr. Boris Rozenberg: Unable to play most of last season due to injury, but is back healthy and looking to have a great senior campaign. Four-year varsity player.

• Jr. Trevor Partington: Keni’s likely No. 1 doubles partner is a “great athlete, fiercely competitive, and a great team player,” according to Armstrong.

• Sophs. Grant Munoz, Marcus Munoz: The greatly improved Munoz brothers played doubles last season, but will vie for one of two singles spots as the season goes on.

DID YOU KNOW?

Overlake tennis legend Anthony Colello has returned to the program as the assistant coach for the boys’ varsity program. Colello placed at state in each of his four years with the program, with a high finish of second in his sophomore year.

QUOTABLE

“I think it’s important for me to be a good leader… for us to act as a model for good tennis players and sportsmen on the court and off the court, and also be a mentor for all of these future tennis players at the Overlake School.”

— Senior Pratik Keni on being a role model for The Overlake School and his team

REDMOND MUSTANGS

• Head coach: Marceil Whitney, 15th year

• 2009 turnout: 48.

Key returners

• Sr. Narumi Watanabe: Made districts last year. Coach believes she is one of the top five singles players in Kingco.

• Sr. Kristina Owen: Another district returner, has solid mental game and thinks well on the court.

TOP NEWCOMERS

• So. Raluca Ifrim: One of several exciting and talented players in the sophomore class, represents the future of Mustang girls’ tennis.

• So. Chiho Muramatsu: Exchange student from Japan will look to contribute at the varsity level.

• So. Allie Misner: Nailed down one of the singles spots as a sophomore.

DID YOU KNOW

Coach Whitney started a non-profit organization six years ago called the Tennis Outreach Program which reaches inner-city youth, using tennis to teach them valuable skills to improve their performance in school and in life.

COACH’S QUOTE

“The league continues to get stronger with the talented players in the area. We hope to be in the top five in Kingco.”

— Marceil Whitney on her 2009 team