Who would have thought that an innocent game of rock, paper, scissors two years ago would impact the 2022 Mariner tennis roster? Certainly not Zack Tambanua.
Having never played tennis before, the then Mariner sophomore had to be persuaded to try out for the team.
“My friends told me that I had to give it a try,” co-captain Tambanua said. “I kept telling them that I don’t even know how to play. But I figured, why not? I’ll give it a try.”
With the odds stacked against him, Tambanua showed just enough ability to make the court. But making the team would be a much harder sell, so much so that he was one of just two players vying for the final spot.
However, instead of battling it out on the court, Tambanua and his opponent squared off in a best-of-3 game of rock, paper, scissors.
“It was funny to me,” Tambanua said. “I really thought I had a pretty good chance to win.”
And he did. Tambanua defeated his opponent 2-1 to earn the final spot.
“I went with rock,” he said. “You always go with the rock. I went on to play No. 3 doubles for my first varsity game. I lost badly, but it was great to play varsity in my first year of tennis.”
Two years later, Tambanua is a co-captain and plays No. 1 singles.
“My sophomore year was fun. I saw a lot of good players and I was really new, so it was a great experience. I lost a lot, but I also won my first match that year against Mountlake Terrace.”
The Marauders are coming off a 2-9 season.
“I really appreciate the energy that the kids brought into the season so far,” Mariner coach Jonathan Ochoa-Abarro said. “There seems to be a different attitude. We are going to be a more competitive team this year, and we’re definitely not going to be a gimme to anyone.”
The Marauders’ 13-team roster comprises nine seniors, most of whom are first-time players or have little experience, according to Ochoa-Abarro. They lost three seniors and three players who played and transferred to Kamiak.
“They have a very good mindset, and they are very positive when they play,” Ochoa-Abarro said. “The best thing about them is that they won’t be satisfied until they become better. The only thing they want to do is to get better, and that’s the attitude that makes me feel confident that we won’t be a pushover this season.”
Mariner’s lineup is mainly completed. Tambanua will play No. 1 singles, junior co-captain Joseph Na will play No. 2 singles, and senior William Tuju will be No. 3 singles. The fourth position was not determined at press time.
Photo courtesy of Chris Trujillo
Mariner’s Zack Tambanua will play No. 1 singles.
“There’s still a lot of competition for that fourth spot,” said Ochoa-Abarro, a former Mariner tennis player. “It’s going to be very interesting whom we insert at the No. 4 singles spots.”
Ochoa-Abarro is excited about the progress and attitude he’s seen from his No. 2 singles player, Na. “We have been growing a lot,” Na said.
“I feel like we are stronger as a team, and I want other teams to see us that way. We aren’t going to lay down anymore.”
The doubles teams were also incomplete at press time. Seniors Dennis Pham and Aaron Ly will play No. 1 doubles, and seniors Justin Hitosis and Alex Leang will play No. 2 doubles.
“I love this team because we aren’t happy at where we are,” Na said. “We are all constantly trying to move up the ladder. We want the best for each other, and that usually brings out the best in everyone.”
