The Coupeville High School tennis team started the season by steamrolling a combined Chimacum-Port Townsend team 5-0 Thursday, March 17, in Port Townsend.

In the day’s closest match, Emily Burchfield won first singles 3-6, 7-6(10-8), 6-1.

Coach Ken Stange said, “Emily adjusted her style of play, veering away from her usual power groundstroke game and switching to a softer, more consistent style of play. This allowed her to outlast her opponent in the longer points.”

He added, “This was a big win for Emily, who missed all of last season while recovering from injury. I was particularly impressed with her grit, will and determination.”

The Wolves took the other four matches in straight sets: No. 2 singles, Lexi Blanchette, 6-0, 6-1; No. 1 doubles, Amanda d’Almeida/Brooke Monroe, 6-1, 6-3; No. 2 doubles, Haley Marx/Lexy Bennett, 6-1, 6-1; No. 3 doubles, Jamie Price/Grayson Akins, 6-2, 6-3.

Blanchette “flat out dominated” in her win, Stange said.  He added, “I was impressed with her tenacity on the court.”

In first doubles, Monroe jumped in to replace an absent Jessica Riddle, and she used “her big serve to set up Amanda at the net,” Stange said.

Stange said, “Overall, I am pleased with the win.”

The Wolves join Friday Harbor and Vashon at the Granite Falls tournament today, March 19, at 11 a.m.