The memories of last season are long forgotten where the Cougars failed to qualify a player to the state tournament and dual match success was rare. This season has been different and exponentially more enjoyable for the entire team.

“We were young and we were bad last year,” Canby’s Jack Knopp said. “We got much better. It’s been a much better season than last year. We’ve all gotten a lot older.”

Added Josh Williford: “It’s fun to win. It’s fun to actually have some success.”

The Cougars get their chance to show how much they have improved at the two-day Pacific Conference district tournament beginning Thursday at Linfield College in McMinnville. The second day of the tournament takes place Friday at Willamette University in Salem.

“I think the kids have really stayed together,” Canby coach Dan Nugent said. “And we struggled last year. For the kids to come through this year like they did, they have to be proud of themselves.”

Knopp is the Cougars’ top returning singles player and nearly surprised the conference last season after finishing one victory short of reaching state. After Knopp won his first two matches, he fell to No. 1 seed and eventual district champion Anthony Britenbach of Tigard in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0.

“I’ve definitely gotten better but the opposition has gotten a lot better,” said Knopp, who has been the team’s No. 1 singles player this season. “I’ve been playing the best guys from other schools so it has been pretty difficult. I’m hoping to make it to the semifinals and that way, I can make it to state. Last year, I made it to the quarterfinals and I think I may be able to do it this year.”

Williford, the team’s No. 2 singles player, also said he hopes to reach state.

“My goal is to make it to the quarterfinals and see what happens from there,” Williford said. “It’ll be a long shot but it’ll be a good goal.”

Nugent said there are three favorites in the league to qualify for state in singles, which include Britenbach, Forest Grove’s Brett Baumgartner and McMinnville’s Mitchell Van Hoef. The fourth and final singles qualifier to state, however, is still up in air.

Canby will bring five singles players, including Knopp, Williford, Justin Petersen, Aaron Rouza and Phillip Park.

“There's a little door open there,” Nugent said. “Depending on where they are in the bracket, they all have a chance.”

Nugent said he also has high hopes for his two top doubles teams that include Eddie Gonzales and Garrett North at No. 1, and Mitchell Robert and Nick Van Tassel at No. 2.

“Our No. 1 and No. 2 doubles teams are capable of staying with any team in the league,” Nugent said.

Other doubles teams for Canby are Tucker Hunter and Tom Knopp at No. 3, Matt Triplett and Jake Fowler at No. 4, and Chris Smucker and Scott Conover at No. 5.

Nugent said the key to his team's success will be finishing off opponents when they have a set or match point.

“It's a little different mindset and that's where we've gotten a little bit better this year,” he said. “We've come through from being behind or on deuce points, and that's really what it comes down to. Skill is probably the most important thing but when skills are the same, it's who's better on those points.”

The team's goal at the district tournament is to win at least half of its 10 first-round matches to finish in the top three of the team standings.