Entering her fifth year of coaching the Mount Si girls’ tennis team, Sue Galagher has some interesting combinations to deal with in the team’s effort to be competitive. The sister duos of Cristina and Jaclyn Boals and Elise and Taryn Ellison are leading the effort for a team that saw several top competitors leave to graduation.

The team won two and lost six matches last year, but Galagher’s optimism puts the team’s chances near the middle of the pack.

“I hate this question, but I would love to go 4-and-4,” said Galagher. “A couple of the kids have really improved, but we have lost some important seniors. We will just have to wait and see.”

Thirty-one girls turned out for the team this year. Ten will be carried on the varsity roster, and 21 on the junior-varsity roster. “We cut down to 28 last year and won’t be cutting any this year because we are just over where we want to be,” said Galagher.

Senior returnees are Cristina Boals, who will likely play at the No. 1 position. Elise Ellison started the year at No. 2, Erin Vassar at No. 4 and Lauren Stevenson at No. 6.

“I have several other seniors,” said Galagher. “Katie Bankson, Laurissa Everett, Amy Fenton and Neyssa Miller and Katelyn Munson – all will be playing this year.”

The number No. 3 player is Jaclyn Boals, a sophomore this year. She will also be playing No. 1 in doubles with sister Cristina.

“They are a good team and hopefully they can get to state this year,” said Galagher. The pair were fifth in KingCo last year for doubles play, but did not place at the district meet.

“We are competitive, but we tend to help each other out on the court and give each other tips on the court,” said Cristina, a senior.

When asked who was the better of the two, the answer, or lack of one, was easy. “We can’t answer that, we are the same, and we are close as sisters,” Cristina responded.

“Mom [Tina] got us into tennis,” added Jaclyn, a sophomore. “She played when she was younger as something fun to do.” The pair play year-round at Robinswood in Bellevue.

Ultimately, they have post-season play on their minds. “We will just improve, but we want to get to state,” they both said. Both girls plan on attending the University of Washington after graduation, a decision influenced by their parents’ desire for them to stay close to home.

The other pair of sisters on the court this year are Elise, a senior, and Taryn, a sophomore, Ellison. The pair are just as focused as the Boals sisters on postseason play.

“Our goal this year is to make it to districts,” said Elise, with a quiet of nod of agreement from Taryn. Their competitive spirit is focused on opponents.

“Yeah, we are competitive between the two of us,” said Elise. “I think we are more competitive against others, though. It’s fun playing with a sister. We practiced all summer together and know each other pretty well.”

When asked which was the better sister act, Elise quickly said, “The Boals sisters are better. We have never played them again and haven’t been able to challenge much [due to the weather].”

Assisting Galagher this year is longtime coach Geri Spalding, coaching for perhaps his last year. Also assisting is Eric Hanson, a volunteer from Fall City.

The team begins its season Tuesday, March 19, at Bellevue, with its first home match on Tuesday, March 26, against Issaquah.