The Edmonds-Woodway boys’ tennis team survived the test of the opening-week jitters, as they certainly showed up for their first match of the season against Inglemoor on Tuesday.

Led by Younghan Kim and Brandon Bulaclac (both winning 6-0, 6-1), the Warrior squad took care of the Vikings on the road at Inglemoor High School and begin the season 1-0.

“It was our first time ever playing them, we didn’t really know what to expect,” said head coach Dan Crist. “I thought they were a good team, we just hit the ball back really well today.”

With the Inglemoor win, Kim, who took the reins at the No. 1 position for this year’s Warrior team, showed he has the ability to take care of business, Crist said.

“He’s a very dedicated player. He plays year-round and works really hard,” Crist said of Kim, who partnered with his older brother Youngha to finish fifth in doubles at last spring’s state tournament. “He was already playing at a number-one level last year, so this year hasn’t been too much of a transition for him.”

Following Kim and Bulaclac by example vs. Inglemoor was Warrior newcomer Anthony Moval, who also cruised along to victory 6-1, 6-1.  “He’s a new kid, and it’s probably just as tough to switch programs as it is to switch schools,” Crist said. “He’s a steady player, but at the same time he didn’t get pushed too hard (Tuesday).”

Needless to say, the Warriors have a much more competitive schedule ahead of them. They begin Wesco play with Thursday’s home match against Snohomish and Friday’s trip to Kamiak.

“(Snohomish and Kamiak) are both good teams,” Crist added. “We didn’t really know what to expect, and we’ll know more about where we stand after this week.”

— Story by Ian Waldron, EWHS Class of 2006