Boys tennis suffers first loss of season

The boys tennis team traveled to Bend and faced the Lava Bears on Thursday, April 3. Six of Sisters' top players were not able to attend due to vacation or college visitation plans over spring break, and the Outlaws fell 7-1 for their first loss this season.

Paul Fullhart was the Outlaws' lone bright spot. Paul won at No. 1 singles to remain undefeated this year.

Coach Bim Gander commented, "The absence of half the starting team allowed several of the younger or less experienced players to step up and represent the team for the first time. Also, some players who usually perform at the No. 3 and No. 4 positions had to move up to No. 1 and No. 2 in this contest. All of these players experienced a much higher level of competition, which should be an important motivating factor in the district matches to come."

On Saturday, the Outlaws' No. 1 and No. 2 singles and doubles players attended the annual White Buffalo Invitational in Madras. Philomath took top honors with a team score of 106, and Crook County was runner-up at 100. Henley took third with a score of 95, and the Outlaws were fourth at 92. The round robin format had each teams' top two singles and doubles teams square off against each other in a best-of-seven competition.

The highlight of the tournament for the Outlaws was Paul Fullhart, who finished first among the seven top singles players. Paul won 34 of the 42 games that he played.

Sisters' No. 1 doubles team finished third. After a slow start, Evan Rickards and Devon Calvin dominated play and won all three of their afternoon matches.

Gander said, "Their improved form at the end of the day renewed my hopes that the Calvin/Rickards duo will be one of the best in district competition, which begins next week."

The Outlaws were to play at home against Klamath Union on April 8, and on Monday, April 14, they will play at home at Black Butte Ranch against Stayton.