Outlaws tennis wraps up league play

The Outlaws started their week with a tough 6-2 loss to Bend High on Tuesday, April 23, and two days later lost 7-1 to North Bend. Sisters turned it around on Saturday, April 27, with victories over both Henley and Hidden Valley in a double header at Black Butte Ranch.

In Sisters' match against Bend High, the Lava Bears swept the four doubles matches in the contest, and three of the four single's matches went to third sets.

Ryan Houston and Shawn Horton posted Sisters' only wins in the match.

Houston defeated Aaron Banquer-Glenn in No. 3 singles. Ryan won the first set in a 7-6 (4) tie-break and then crumbled in the second set to suffer a 0-6 loss. Houston battled back and won the third set in 7-6 (6) tie-break after more than two hours in the trenches.

Shawn Horton tightened up his game after a 1-6 loss in the first set and came back to win with scores of 6-4, 6-4.

Although Devon Calvin lost 3-6, 6-4, 12-14 to Cameron Tulare in No. 1 singles, he put forth great effort in a match that was very tight and went to a 12-14 tie-break.

Coach Bim Gander noted, "Their style of play was almost a mirror image, with Devon, the southpaw, trading forehand drives with righty Cameron. What was refreshing about this match was the sportsmanship demonstrated by both guys. In spite of the intensity of the match, each took pleasure in the other's good play. And, they were fair - no, generous - with their line calls the whole way."

Two days later, the Outlaws faced North Bend in their stiffest competition of the season. Sisters' lone win came from Evan Rickards (No.â¯3 singles) who prevailed 6-2, 7-5, over Josh Dediego.

Ryan Houston battled hard against Steven Chan but lost 3-6 in the third set in a match that was nearly two hours long.

Sisters wrapped up their week with wins over Henley and Hidden Valley in a double header at Black Butte Ranch on Saturday.

The Outlaws defeated Henley 5-3 in the first of the two dual meets.

Devon Calvin (No.â¯2 singles) persevered in his match against Jackson Keppen and won the match with scores of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

"This was a critical match and was the difference between breaking even with Henley or winning the match," noted Gander.

Evan Rickards (No.â¯3 singles) defeated Blake Preston 6-0, 6-1 and Ryan Houston (No.â¯4 singles) beat James Carpenter 6-1, 6-2.

Sisters also got wins from their No. 3 and No. 4 doubles teams. Ethan Stengel and Michael Commins (No.3) beat Caleb Williams and Jaime Aguago 6-2, 6-4 and Tyrell Gilmore and Jesse Anderson (No. 4) defeated Jorge Baza and William Haught 6-4, 6-2.

Against Hidden Valley, the Outlaws swept all singles and doubles matches in straight sets to earn the 4-0 win.

Paul Fullhart (No.â¯1 singles) beat Cameron McDonald 6-2, 6-2 and Ryan Houston (No.â¯2 singles) blanked Josiah Locke 6-0, 6-0.

In doubles, Ethan Stengel and Shawn Horton (No.â¯1) earned a 7-5, 6-2 win over Brad Hyatt and Jacob Pendleton. Michael Commins and Andrew Stengel (No.â¯2) beat Tyler Markley and Christian Meyers 6-2, 6-2.

Houston and Commins were double winners on the day.

"Michael was the only freshman I played today and he won both his matches, which was terrific," stated Gander. "He's playing very well. He's a big part of the future of the program for the next three years."

The Outlaws wrapped up league with a 4-1 record and are currently 6-3 overall. Sisters' lone loss in league came against the very strong North Bend squad, and two of the other losses were against Bend and Redmond, tough 5A competitors.

Sisters will practice hard over the next week in preparation for districts which will be held in Medford on Monday and Tuesday, May 6 and 7.