Cashmere’s Kert sisters earn doubles spot at 1-A State Tournament

Jerry Seinfeld once described tennis as pingpong, except you’re playing on the table. In a different context, tables symbolize the deep bond of family unity. While gathering around the dinner table, every member of the Kert family sits next to fellow tennis player. Trevor Kert, head coach of the Cashmere High School tennis squad, is the proverbial godfather of this athletic dynasty. All four of his children have played for the Bulldogs — at an elite level.

Today the family legacy extends to Kert’s two youngest daughters, Lauren and Faith who teamed up Saturday, May 21 at Spokane’s Mead High School to earn a doubles spot in the 1A State Tennis Tournament, which starts Friday at the Yakima Tennis Club.

In an all-sisters match, the Kerts bested sisters Carlie and Rebecca Buny 6-0, 6-0 in the winner-to-state crossover match in Spokane. Though Lauren, a senior, and Faith, a sophomore, were undefeated as Cashmere’s top two singles players, they teamed up in doubles for a potential State run. Tennis players cannot play both singles and doubles in the postseason. The girls derive their tennis lineage from their father. An athletic kid growing up in Pateros, Kert eventually chose tennis as his primary sport by process of elimination.

Now he has translated his passion from playing to coaching. After years as an assistant, he became head coach in 2017 and led Cashmere’s girls’ team to State titles in 2017 and 2018. The Kert children are close in age, so tennis became a natural family activity. While he’s shared his tennis zeal for the game with his children, he didn’t force it upon them. They’ve taken to the game on their own. Tyler Kert, the lone son of the family, garnered an individual boys’ singles State title in 2018.

His sister Aleah brought home the same title on the girls’ side that year. Her encore? A state doubles title with Lauren the next year. Aleah continues to play tennis at Whitworth University in Spokane. The Kert’s athletic feats aren’t restricted to the tennis court. Tyler won two Caribou Trail League Most Valuable Player Awards. Aleah, Lauren and Faith all have earned 1st Team All-League honors in volleyball.

“All four of the Kert kids have been a joy to watch compete. They are all outstanding athletes, but more than that, they have outstanding character,” Cashmere Athletic Director Jeff Carlson said, describing the siblings as fierce competitors. “They all have represented our school and our community in such a positive way. They are great role models for the younger kids in our town.”

Lauren and Faith complement each other well. Lauren is a lefty; Faith is a rightly. Lauren is steady; Faith is aggressive. Their contrasting styles add a crucial balance to the doubles game, a format they learned from Aleah. As might be expected, the Kerts have played a lot of intrafamilial tennis over the years. Lauren and Faith have reaped the benefits of these matches. Each sibling possesses a different tennis talent and strength. Tyler owns a consistent game while Aleah relies on power. Their younger sisters have taken notes from facing their siblings.

“My first two kids are really good and they don’t take it easy on their little sisters,” their dad said. “Tyler serves over 100 miles per hour and Faith has to return that. It’s a lot of fun and competitive tennis with the six of us.” Y

et tennis talent isn’t necessarily hereditary, and the youngest Kert girls have succeeded due largely to motivation and a veracious work ethic. Like their siblings before them, Lauren and Faith are quite balanced. They work hard at school and also play volleyball. Trevor tells stories of his youngest daughters going to a court by themselves with a bucket of balls, lobbing serve after serve after serve to hone their skills.

“You don’t just get better just because you have good siblings,” Kert said. “Especially growing up behind Tyler and Aleah, they’ve played a lot of tennis.” At the court and at home, Kert faces the challenge of finding the balance between coach and dad. While tennis looms large in the family, it doesn’t take center court.

The Kert clan maintains close relationships outside of sports. They also keep their tennis focus seasonal. During the summers, Kert’s coaching hat hangs in the closet. Family tennis games revolve more around friendly, albeit intense, competition. Tennis is fun, but family comes first. “There are a few tense moments here and there. They’re all great students and quick learners and so it’s been pretty easy to coach them,” he said. “They put in their own time and listen to their dad.”

Faith and Lauren appear to be the favorites to win Cashmere another State title this weekend. Regardless of the result, the Kerts, led by Trevor, have played a key role in representing Cashmere athletics on and off the court. “Year-in and year-out he does an outstanding job of coaching our tennis athletes,” Carlson said. “Our kids always show tremendous improvement as the tennis season progresses.”