North Whidbey team regains tennis trophy

The fifth annual Whidbey Island Tennis Cup was awarded last weekend to the North Whidbey team after two days of play, 26 matches and a 14 to 12 win for the North squad.

July 26, 2008 2:31 am
Participants and supporters in the Whidbey Island Tennis Cup competition gather as the North Whidbey team takes possession of the trophy. Holding the coveted cup is Willie Jenkins.
Participants and supporters in the Whidbey Island Tennis Cup competition gather as the North Whidbey team takes possession of the trophy. Holding the coveted cup is Willie Jenkins.

The fifth annual Whidbey Island Tennis Cup was awarded last weekend to the North Whidbey team after two days of play, 26 matches and a 14 to 12 win for the North squad.

This annual championship has been waged between tennis players on the North and South ends of the island since 2004. Busy schedules in 2005 caused that year to be skipped so the trophy now has been with each team for two years.

Over 40 participants gave their all in this friendly competition with the North looking to regain the coveted trophy after being in the hands of the South for two years consecutively. South end organizer and coach, Kevin Jorgensen, did a good job recruiting talent from the South Whidbey High School team including State Champion Lindsey Newman. Sister Katy Newman who has already graduated also played as well as did their brother, Kiley, who beat one of the North’s strongest players in a baseline duel. Lindsey has been playing and winning since 2004 and she was again hard to beat in singles.

North Whidbey organizer and coach Willie Jenkins tapped into the local Oak Harbor Racket Club regulars and a field of talented players including local attorney, Doug Saar and brother, Jason Hanson who took on the best men’s doubles team for a win. The North benefited from some wonderful mixed doubles players including visiting German exchange pilot Ralph Schnell who has played with the Racket Club for two years and his partner, Kim Hedger, who came back from Maryland to work and play with the club this summer. Kim has been a long time member of club and both will be missed when they leave in the fall.

The competition came down to the final match between North and South Masters, Frank Murphy and Jim Day, respectively. Both players got to pick their best young teammate to balance off the men’s doubles team and it was a battle through two sets of play. Onlookers marveled as former Oak Harbor High School tennis coach Frank Murphy delivered his spin serve to both corners of the court with incredible precision, even at the age of 70. A gallery of players and spectators cheered the final result with North Whidbey securing the trophy thanks to Frank and partner Mark Milat’s magic.