Outlaws take match against Stayton

The boys tennis squad defeated Stayton 5-3 at home in Sisters on Thursday, April 29, and improved their league record to 2-2-1.

Sisters' doubles teams had impressive performances.

Aaron Johnson and Colton Seymour outlasted Johnny Sylva and Daniel Johnson in a pivotal No. 2 doubles match. The duo won 7-5, 4-6, 7-5 after trailing 4-5 in the final set. Aaron and Colton won the final three games to secure the win. The win was a first for Seymour at the varsity level.

Sisters had two other straight-set wins in doubles play. Sophomores Eli Gurney and Brogan Petterson earned a win at No. 1 doubles with their 7-5, 6-3 victory over Junior Velasco and Liam Briles.

George Bates and Drew Collins-Burke, also sophomores, won their first varsity match of the season at No. 3 doubles. The duo defeated Lucas Langer and Brison Cowan 6-2, 6-2.

Jed Kizziar (No.1 singles) defeated Ivan Ochoa in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, and remains undefeated in league at 5-0.

Nate Weber, No. 2 singles, beat Brian Ritchie in straight sets with scores of 6-0, 6-2, and is also undefeated in league at 5-0.

Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, the Outlaws were just one set short of beating Cascade at home on Sisters' courts.

Sisters continued their dominant singles play, and won the top three spots.

Kizziar (No. 1 singles) earned a three-set win over Ben Suelzle 6-2, 4-6, 6-3. Coach Carl Click told The Nugget that Jed continues to make a strong case for one of the top singles seeds as teams head toward the district tournament.

Kizziar shared what has kept him winning matches.

"I keep using the skills the coach has taught me, and I just play my game, which is very aggressive; going straight to the net every time and never giving in to my opponent," said Kizziar.

"I hope to place in the top four at district so I can go to state, and my highest hope would be to win districts," added Jed.

Weber also continued his winning ways at the No. 2 singles spot. Nate beat Trystyn Weinberger 6-0, 7-6.

"Nate gets better with each match," said Click. "He practices a lot on his own, and it shows as he's making fewer errors. The more match experience he gets, you can see him getting smarter with how he constructs points. There's a purpose every time he strokes the ball."

Isaiah Chapen (No. 3 singles) beat Cameran Jeppsen 6-2, 6-3, and is now 2-1 in league play.

"Isaiah plays an accurate and consistent ball with backspin that causes problems," said Click. "He forces his opponent to the net, and then wins points by placing his next shot over or by the other player."

Sisters could have won the match with a win in any of the doubles matches, and the No. 2, 3, and 4 doubles teams came close. Aaron Johnson and Sam Mayes, George Bates and Drew Collins-Burke, and Colton Seymour and Jack Bullis all took their opponents to three sets, and all lost close in 6-4 third sets.

Click said, "Our two league losses and tie were nail-biters. A point or two difference in the right place and those matches are team wins. We're competitive in every league match, and team is getting into it. Players are beginning to understand how their effort affects the team's success. And they care."

Sisters was to play at home against Crook County on Tuesday, April 24. They will travel to Philomath on Thursday.