PORT ANGELES — It was a day Buccaneers No. 1 singles player Jerol Bird had longed for the entire season. The immensely talented senior finally put it all together, unveiling the matches of his life when it mattered most at the Olympic League tennis tournament in Port Angeles Oct. 12 and 13.

Bird captured first place overall in the singles department, finishing with a perfect record of 3-0 against his opponents. He defeated each of his foes 2-0 and will compete in districts this spring.

“I think he brought his game up to another level,” said Kingston High School coach Ken Crawford. “He had a lot of success and really did well.”

Crawford said Bird used his cerebral abilities against each opponent he faced.

“Jerol figured how to beat each guy he went up against,” he said. “When I was talking with him between sets he already knew what he needed to do to beat his opponent. He ran down everything and played aggressive.”

Buccaneers singles player Sean Johnstone persevered, clawing his way to a district tournament berth. He nabbed fourth place with an overall record of 3-2.

“Sean just fought like crazy the entire way. He seemed to get stronger and stronger as the matches went on,” Crawford said. “I was pretty impressed with the way he played. He stepped up big.”

The doubles team of Jon Sudduth and Mitch Icard finished the tourney in fourth place, compiling an overall record of 2-2 nabbing the final doubles berth to districts.

Crawford said the duo played much better than their record indicated.

“There were periods of time where they just looked unbeatable,” he said. “They had it going on and played tough the entire way.”

Crawford said he’s proud the first year school is sending four athletes to districts.

“I think it’s so great. I told all of the guys how proud I am of them,” he said. “To have four guys from our team go to districts. That’s a high number who will be heading off to compete.”

While Crawford said he is excited for Bird, Johnstone, Sudduth and Icard, he isn’t so excited about the timing of the 2A District Tournament. It will take place approximately six months from now in spring 2008.

“I think the gap in time gives kids who play at tennis clubs an advantage,” he said. “Not every kid plays all year around and the only way to play in the winter is to play at a tennis club. It makes a huge difference. I hope my team has an opportunity to play as much as they can before districts in the spring.”