The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

The boys varsity tennis squad returns several players this year, and taking charge at the No. 1 singles spot will be junior Nate Weber. Weber qualified for State last year and won a consolation match to make it to the second day of competition.

Prior to the State Tournament, Weber only lost one singles match, and each one was to a player who advanced to State at their classification. Nate is expected to be one of the dominant singles players in the district this year, and Coach Carl Click told The Nugget that a district singles championship is within his reach.

“Nate plays a lot in the off-season with his father, so he’s getting better, but he’s also getting taller and stronger and faster,” said Click. “He’s unique in that he hits the ball hard from the baseline, but also comes to the net aggressively, which many high school players don’t do or don’t know how to handle. To be the best, Nate knows he needs to develop a more consistent first serve, and stronger, yet, reliable second serve.”

Seniors Brogan Peterson, Sam Mayes, Drew Collins-Burke, and Osmond Bates will comprise the Outlaws top doubles teams in combinations yet to be decided. Collins-Burke and Bates made a surprise run to the district quarterfinals from the No. 3 position last year, and finished with a 13-6 record.

Click said, “Drew got more and more aggressive with his powerful forehand as the year went along.”

Click noted that Petterson played basketball in the winter, and Mayes and Bates went to State in swimming, but they all love tennis and find a way to get outside and work on their tennis game when the weather permits.

Senior Colton Seymour returns for a third year on the varsity squad. Colton was the Outlaws utility man last year. He played doubles with four different partners and won four of five singles

matches.

“Colton has a great calm about him that helps lead any doubles partner he plays with, and he never gets rattled when he’s out there in a singles match on his own,” said Click.

Junior KJ Sweet also returns for his third season with the team.

“KJ had never played tennis when he started with us as a freshman and had a long way to go, but he’s earned two varsity letters and plays a lot with family in the off season to keep improving,” said Click.

Four new players joined the team this year: senior Gator Haken, sophomore Jaxson Berry, freshman Matthew Riehle, and sophomore Ty Cross, a transfer from Crook County. Cross played tennis for the Cowboys as a freshman, but the other three players are all new to tennis and are giving it a try for the

first time.

“That’s the great thing about tennis at Sisters High School,” said Click. “Everybody makes the team. It’s a simple enough game that newcomers learn and improve quickly, and everyone will contribute to varsity success.”

Currently, the Outlaws have 11 players on their roster. They are hoping for a few more as they need 12 players to field a full varsity match.

The Outlaws will open their season with a match at home against Ridgeview on Monday, March 16.