Crimson Hawks Tennis Builds on Experience, Welcomes New Boys Program

“Going into the season, the expectations will be adaptability, focusing on prep work for the NEA league’s District Tournament in May,” Aubert said. “The athletes will be expected to adapt to different strategies as we start non-league matches this month, before league play begins in April.”

The Crimson Hawks could also see familiar matchups with league rivals once the postseason arrives.

“Both Colville’s top singles and doubles positions will have a chance for a 2025 District league rematch with Medical Lake and Lakeside opponents, potentially determining this season’s State entries in both of their singles and doubles respective brackets,” Aubert said.

Colville’s girls program continues to draw strong participation numbers. Aubert said the team has 23 athletes this season, including six seniors, five juniors, three sophomores and nine freshmen. The boys side of the program is much smaller in its initial year, with four athletes on the roster: two sophomores and two freshmen.

Several experienced players will anchor the lineup this spring, including seniors Julia Baker, Kylee Dyar, and Campbell Thompson as leaders for the Crimson Hawks.

“Each are four-year tennis athletes, with their third year on varsity this season,” Aubert said.

All three return after playing key roles in last year’s lineup as the top singles and doubles players.

Aubert said Baker enters the season after a dominant league campaign last year, with just one loss in the NEA. Dyar had a competitive postseason, reaching the semifinals in the doubles bracket.

“Our team's strengths, especially as Colville welcomes its first boys tennis team to the NEA league, is the stability and structure the women's side of the team brings,” Aubert said.

Seven of the eight varsity players on this year’s roster competed at the varsity level last season.

“Three of these athletes are former 2023-24 District Champions and at least one has competed in the semifinals round of league championship tournaments in the last two seasons,” Aubert said. “The continuity this team brings sets the standard high as Colville builds the men's program.”

He added that the NEA league again features several strong returning players, setting up challenging matchups for the Crimson Hawks. For the girls team, a rematch with Medical Lake could be one of the most significant contests of the season.

“Medical Lake's number one singles defeated Colville in the 2024-25 District Tournament, finishing second,” Aubert said. “This rematch will challenge Colville’s No. 1 singles position.”

Another anticipated matchup could come in doubles play against Lakeside.

“Lakeside's number one doubles defeated Colville in split sets, making an appearance at the 2024-25 state tournament,” Aubert said. “League play will make for a highly anticipated rematch amongst doubles teams.”

The new boys program will also face a learning curve against experienced league opponents.

Aubert said the new program fills a long-standing gap in the NEA league.

“We are excited to officially roll out boys tennis at Colville High School,” Aubert said. “Colville was the only school in our past and present NEA league that did not offer boys tennis.”

Beyond improving scheduling and league balance, Aubert said the move also expands opportunities for students.