By Courtney Oldwyn

Journal Reporter

New tennis coach Kevin Cullen, Friday Harbor High School math teacher, is not only excited to lead his team to success on the courts but also to see how his players progress throughout the season.

More than half of the 22 person girls’ tennis team are new to the sport this year and they have just one senior player Jidapa Ketcharung from Spring Street International School, so Cullen is focusing on the importance of learning the game and improvement.

“We have an approach that I am hopeful will lead to some success in matches but most importantly is the understanding that we will be focusing on continual improvement as the measure of success, more so than match outcomes.” said Cullen.

Skill development, fitness and sportsmanship are all priorities this year, according to Cullen who normally coaches soccer and is fairly new to the tennis world. “I love to coach and I love the kids,” said Cullen who agreed to take on the team when he realized with no coach there would be 22 players without a team.

With no boys team this year student Griffin Cuomo is helping out the girls by acting as Team Manager.

The team is also relying heavily on volunteer assistant coach Lisa Moretti who taught tennis during her college years. One of Moretti’s goals is to show other teams that Friday Harbor is a great team to play by encouraging excellent sportsmanship on and off the court. The team has already started this by asking King’s Market to sponsor healthy snacks for visiting team’s long rides home.

“We are just excited to go out and compete each day with integrity and hard work, being role models for FHHS and our island community,” said Cullen.

The team’s first game is Friday, March 18 at 4 p.m. at home against Lynden.