Sequim High School’s girls tennis team plans to make the best of cramped conditions.

After Sequim School District officials closed two tennis courts due to unsafe conditions at the beginning of the school year, some feared the girls team would need to make cuts for the first time in its history due to less court space.

“I’m not going to do it,” head coach Justine Wagner said. “I just can’t. The great thing (about tennis) is that it’s a lifetime sport. I don’t want to take that away from anyone.”

However, with 25 girls on the team, Wagner said she’s still figuring out the logistics for practices.

In the fall, Wagner had to make adjustments for the boys team and said for the girls they might have to travel to an opponent’s home courts twice instead of hosting matches.

If and when Sequim hosts matches depends on how many girls are on the opposing team, she said.

At practices, girls are split among the three courts by varsity, junior varsity and live game simulation.

“It stinks,” Wagner said. “Look at how many girls are just standing at times. Only 12 of 25 can go at any time.”

This year, the Wolves follow a fourth-place Olympic League finish last year, sending two doubles teams to districts.

Junior Karen Chan returns after pairing with graduated senior Melanie Guan to earn a state alternate spot last year. Senior Hannah Gauthun returns too after earning a doubles state berth in 2013 with graduated senior Anna Prorok. They went 0-2.

Gauthun and Cheyenne Sokkappa are the Wolves’ only seniors after losing nine last year to graduation.

Wagner said five varsity players return while 11 players are taking the court for the first time on the team.

Chan and Gauthun are set for the No. 1 doubles team while Sokkappa takes the No. 1 singles spot after playing at No. 2 or No. 3, depending on match-ups last year.

Sokkappa, who has played tennis all four years of high school but didn’t play before then, said it’s a little intimidating being the No. 1 singles play.

“I’ve improved a lot,” she said,” and I’m hoping to make districts.”

Since starting, Sokkappa said she’s worked hardest on her serves.

“They are my strong point,” she said. “It carries me through my matches.”

Wagner said this year is a rebuilding a year for the team and the remainder of varsity spots will change.

She’s not expecting to win the league title, she said, since some teams like North Kitsap are extremely deep and gained even more experienced players.

“We have really nice girls who are very coachable, fun, and are a good group of people who will wear our school colors well,” she said.

Sokkappa said for those newcomers who want to do well, she said it all depends on how far they want to go.

“Stay after practice and work some more,” she said. “It could become a lifetime hobby. (For me) It’s definitely fun and I’ll consider doing intramurals in college.”

The girls tentatively open their season at home against the Olympic Trojans on March 16.

Spring Sports Preview: SHS  Girls tennis

2014 record in league, overall: 5-3/9-3, fourth in Olympic League; on doubles team (alternates) to state

Head coach: Justine Wagner (second year)

Varsity returning players: Kaleigh Cassal, Karen Chan, Hannah Gauthun, Cheyenne Sokkappa, Katelyn Wake

Key league competition: North Kitsap, Kingston, Olympic