PENDLETON — When Julie Murphy took over the Sunridge Middle School tennis program this spring, she already had a strong support group with assistant coach Katie Mueller and the North East Tennis Center (NET).

The tennis program, which had 25 girls and 12 boys this season, has limited courts at the middle school (two), and the courts at nearby Community Park have been unplayable since the flood in 2020.

The NET partnered with the school, offering its two indoor courts for the program, and the instructors also helped the players hone their games.

“We split the team into two groups and the school transported one to the NET,” Murphy said. “I just feel like they have so many qualified coaches. All four of the volunteers are very qualified. The boys who were Pendleton’s No. 1 and 2 this year (Sam Larson and Adam Harrison), benefited from this program last year.”

Murphy said several NET members had a personal connection to Sunridge tennis, with children and grandchildren committed to playing tennis.

This is the second year the NET has played a big part in the program, and with the additional space and coaching, the Broncs were able to add a boys team last year.

For the past two years, volunteers Tara Fleshman, Cary Ford, Doug Triebelhorn and Lisa Ward have worked with players.

“These volunteers often offer lessons and clinics to our Pendleton kids at no cost,” Murphy said. “The volunteers are so committed to these kids. It’s pretty cool. The coaching level they get is unheard of for the middle school level.”

Two weeks prior to the official season, the volunteers opened up the NET for workouts, offering coaching that allowed the players to start the season strong.

“The volunteers attended all practices and often traveled to away matches,” Murphy said.

Club members also have stepped up to support the program as a whole.

“The NET has also played a financial part in keeping the program going,” Murphy said. “Board members have written grants, offered lessons and other fundraisers to help provide equipment, uniforms and wind screens at the Sunridge courts. They have spent about $3,000 to help the program.”

The Broncs have shown their appreciation on the court.

The girls program finished the season 5-2-2, while the boys were 6-3. They played teams from the Tri-Cities, Walla Walla and Connell, Washington.

“We have had compliments from other communities on how well our kids play,” Murphy said.