Thomas Jefferson Raiders

2016 record: 12-2

Coach: Andrew Buchan

The Thomas Jefferson Raiders continue to be the tennis standard in Federal Way. Not only do the Raiders come into 2017 as the 2016 South Puget Sound League champions, they are also on a 49-match win streak versus league opponents, despite losing veteran Makaylie Moore three matches into the 2016 season after she tore her anterior cruciate ligament and hurt her shoulder. The shoulder injury came from tennis; the ACL was torn with her club soccer team. It caused her to undergo four major surgeries and miss all of last year. Moore is back and healthy for the upcoming season. Jefferson opens the season March 15 on the road at Decatur.

Quotable: “I’m definitely excited to help out the younger players,” Moore said. “Some of them lack a little confidence, so I can’t wait to help build them up so they can mentor the next class that comes in.”

Todd Beamer Titans

2016 record: 4-8

Coach: Patrick Nam

Thomas Jefferson coach Andrew Buchan said the Todd Beamer Titans could be a team to watch out for in 2017. Like the Raiders, the Titans have a versatile mix of upper and underclassmen this season. Beamer has postseason experience to build on this season after Briana Mao-Berry and Nicole Lim represented the program in 2016 as the pair advanced past the SPSL Central tournament. Beamer opens the season on the road on March 15 at Federal Way.

Quotable: “I think we’ll surprise some people,” Beamer coach Patrick Nam said. “I’m excited to start the season. I think once we get going, that will be a bigger indicator to how we’ll do moving forward.”

Decatur Golden Gators

2016 record: 2-8

Coach: John Cassens

The Decatur Golden Gators have slowly been building their program, and its seen improvements over the past two season, going winless in 2015 to two wins last season. Decatur welcomes back a couple of experienced players in senior Paulina Tiedeken and sophomore Giann Nguyen. The Gators have a tough early season schedule, which starts March 15 against tennis powerhouse Thomas Jefferson. Then Decatur travels on March 17 to steadily improving Todd Beamer.

Federal Way Eagles

2016 record: 0-10

Coach: Josh Drewry

Federal Way welcomes back senior Olivia Chong, who took last season off to focus on track and field. Chong’s sister Jillian enters into her freshman season with the Eagles, and Drewry said her potential is endless. Drewry expects this season’s team to be far more competitive than last year, in part because he has a more established relationship with the high school tennis community. Federal Way starts the season on March 15 and March 17 against Todd Beamer and Thomas Jefferson.

Quotable: “I think the health of the program is looking really solid,” Drewry said. “That’s definitely encouraging.”