Boys tennis plays in Madras invite

The Outlaws attended the White Buffalo Tournament on Saturday, April 7, and finished fifth out of the eight teams in attendance. Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, April 3, Sisters fell 3-5 at home to Madras in the league opener, and on Friday, they lost 1-4 at home to Henley.

In Saturday's action at the White Buffalo Tourney, junior Jed Kizziar won four of seven mini-sets to earn a fourth-place finish in the No. 1 singles bracket. Three of his wins were over league opponents he will face later in the season, where Jed will try to secure a high seed for the District Tournament.

"Jed's aggressive net game is a change of pace for most singles players," said Coach Carl Click. "He uses it to dictate the style of points to his advantage."

Sophomores Aaron Johnson and Sam Mayes also won four of seven mini-sets for a fourth-place finish in No. 2 doubles competition. The duo lost the first two matches, but then came out on top in four consecutive, close, competitive matches.

"Aaron and Sam got off to a slow start, but adjusted to the high winds and got more aggressive at the net to improve in their later matches," said Click.

Vale finished at the top with a score of 144, and Henley was runner-up with 124. Madras was third (114), Cascade fourth (108), and Sisters fifth (94). Remaining scores were: Crook County (88), Klamath Union (67), and Estacada (45).

On Tuesday, Sisters' singles players nabbed three of the four singles matches against Madras to open league play.

Kizziar (No. 1 singles) limited his mistakes to get the 6-4, 6-4 win over Brandon Selgado.

Nate Weber, in the No. 2 spot, defeated Nate Stovall 4-6, 6-1, 5-5. Nate lost the first set, but dominated in the second set to get the win. Stovall was forced to retire in a 5-5 third set because of leg cramps, with Weber leading 30-15 in the 11th game.

Isaiah Chapen (No. 3) also dominated play in his 6-1, 6-2 win over Ollie Fisk.

The Outlaws lost at No. 1 and No. 2 doubles in close, two-set matches, and had to forfeit the No. 4 doubles match because several players were unavailable due to spring break.

"Madras is usually at the top of the league in boys tennis, so winning the top three single positions and playing close doubles matches was a strong showing for Sisters," said Click.

In Friday's match against Henley, both teams were down in numbers; the Hornets had seven players and Sisters had 11.

Chapen was the lone winner for the Outlaws. Isaiah handled Colin Pitts at the No. 3 singles spot, with scores of 6-2, 6-2, his second singles victory of the week.

The Outlaws were to play in a match at home against Molalla on Tuesday, April 10. Sisters will travel to North Marion on Friday, April 13.