Goldendale Tennis Timberwolves Battle It Out Against Granger
Taryn Rising competes on Wednesday against her Granger opponent where she won her match 7-6, 6-2. Rising, a Goldendale senior, has been a state level competitor in multiple sports during her time playing sports for the Timberwolves. Photo: Mike Salsbury
By Mike Salsbury
Goldendale, WA, March 18, 2024 – Goldendale High School tennis is underway and second year tennis coach Jenn Neil is looking forward to the 2024 season with anticipation and eagerness to keep the program’s momentum moving forward.
Neil, who started with the program as the assistant coach in 2015, shares her perspective about tennis in Goldendale.
“Over the last nine years I have watched the popularity of tennis in Goldendale have a constant ebb and flow,” she said.
Coach Neil breaks down the roster. “This year I have 17 student athletes on my roster, six of which are returning from last year and the remaining 11 are brand new to the sport.”
“The boys team consists of six student athletes and the girls team has 11,” she said.
Jeslyn Berry, a Goldendale senior, hopes to return to the state championships again this spring. Photo: Mike Salsbury
Players to watch include seniors Jeslyn Berry and Taryn Rising. The pair finished first last year at the EWAC District Tournament in doubles and went on to finish third at the WIAA 1B/2B State Tournament.
Also returning to the girls team are Maddie Groves and Linzy Hanna. Returning from last season’s boys team are Hans Martin and Aiden Barnett.
Maddy Groves plays doubles on Wednesday for Goldendale, helping bring a Timberwolves win to their match. She is one of the returning players to varsity tennis this season. Photo: Mike Salsbury
“With 65 percent of the tennis team being completely new to the sport, the current goal is to get them up to speed and confident as quickly as possible,” she said.
Neil has some help with the program in this rebuilding year.
“We brought on a new assistant coach this year, Talese Humphrey,” she said. “Talese has a background in teaching and coaching youth sports. She is a great addition to the team and will be a huge asset.”
“I have two volunteer coaches on standby to help when they have the ability to do so, Kylee Beam and Taylor Beam,” she added. “Both had success through the Goldendale tennis program.”
Jeslyn Berry and Maddie Groves conclude their win against Granger on Wednesday, defeating their opponents 6-2, 6-1. Photo: Mike Salsbury
Kylee was a 2015-2016 qualifier for the 1A District Tournament for Goldendale, and Taylor was a back to back 2B District Champion in 2021 and 2022 and had a 3rd Place 2B State finish for Goldendale.
This past week the team eased into their season with a couple home matches held mainly to get the season going and for player development since many athletes hadn’t attended enough practices yet to compete.
“This week’s matches will be slim,” said Neil prior to the competition. “Unfortunately we will have to forfeit most of the positions due to many of the student/athletes not starting tennis until a week late.”
On Wednesday March 13, in the match against Granger, Taryn Rising competed as the top singles player for the Goldendale girls team winning her match 7-6, 6-2 while Jeslyn Berry and Maddie Groves paired up as the top doubles team winning their match 6-2, 6-1.
Due to the multiple forfeits the girls lost 2-3 and boys lost 0-5.
But ultimately it’s not all about winning, it's about the love of the game.
“This is an incredibly fun group of student/athletes to get the opportunity to work with,” Neil concluded.
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