Sequim Gazette staff

Are there sure-bet, state tourney players on this squad? Time will tell. But Sequim’s Mark Textor likes the Wolves’ chances in 2013.

“We have a lot of solid girls who are very coachable,” says the longtime SHS coach. “I have a feeling we will rise above expectations.”

On the surface, the Wolves will have a tough time replacing Katrina Chan and Stacy Hanson, the three-time state qualifying duo and last year’s district champions. The combo went 15-3 before graduating.

But the Wolves return almost all other major varsity starters who went 7-1 in league play, second only to Kingston. In fact, Sequim’s only two losses — one league, one non-league — came at the hands of the Bucs.

Back in action are Anna Prorok and Hillary Smith, who qualified for districts last season as a doubles team. Prorok was Sequim’s No. 1 singles player for much of last spring and Smith went 5-1 in singles play. Melanie Guan and Hannah Gauthun, who went 4-0 as a doubles team last season, both played singles at the Olympic League tourney.

Others who saw plenty of varsity time include Tenisha Powless, Heidi Stallman, Maggie Christie, Kortney Oen and Anna Mittmann.

In all, Sequim saw 35 players turn out for the squad.

“We have some big holes to fill (without Hanson and Katrina Chan),” Textor said. “But we have the depth to make up for it.”

Textor figures the top teams in the league to be Kingston, North Kitsap and Sequim, with Port Angeles and an improved North Mason squad looking to challenge.