Boys tennis takes fourth at State

The boys tennis team's lone entry, doubles players Johannes Traut and Evan Sims, racked up enough points to give Sisters a fourth-place finish at the 2007 4A/3A/2A/1A State tennis Championship which was held at the Eugene Swim and tennis Club on Friday and Saturday, May 18-19.

Traut and Sims won their first round with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Coleman and Watson from Umatilla. The duo's second round win (2-6, 7-6, 7-4, 6-2) against Felix Zinke and Dustin Abramson was an intense match.

"It was the best doubles match of the entire tournament," said Coach Boyd Stuwe. "Every point was long with dramatic saves and spectacular put-aways by both teams, right down to the final shot by Sims. Sims had a huge forehand from the ad side baseline that went straight down the sideline and landed less than a foot inside the opponent's baseline."

The win guaranteed Traut and Sims at least a fourth-place finish. In the semi-finals the duo lost 2-6, 4-6 to Guckenberger and Rear of Marist but came back and earned a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Trevor Apple and Alex Tallian of Oregon Episcopal School.

Oregon Episcopal School took first-place honors at the tournament and Cascade Christian was runner up. Marist finished third, and Sisters was fourth.

The boys tennis team will lose only two players this year, seniors and captains, Ryley Newport and Jordan Wellman.

"They will certainly be missed," said Stuwe, "but I have high hopes for next year. Our program grew from 14 last year to 20 players this year, and I know of three incoming freshman that I've watched play for years who are very good players and will be great additions to the team."