Outlaws advance into quarterfinals

The boys tennis squad competed in the first round of the 4A/3A/2A/1A Special District 2 Championships on Thursday, May 3. Three Outlaws, Jed Kizziar, Nate Weber, and Isaiah Chapen advanced to the second round of 16, which was scheduled for Monday, May 6, at Black Butte Ranch (BBR). The semi-finals and finals will be at BBR on Thursday, May 10.

Top-seed Kizziar dominated play in his victory over his opponent from North Marion, 6-0, 6-0. Weber defeated Ivan Ochoa of Stayton 6-0, 6-2.

Coach Carl Click said, "Jed and Nate were much better tennis players than their opponents. Nate played the top kid from Stayton, but Nate has improved so much over the season that he's as good as most teams' No. 1.

"There will eventually be really good competition for both of them, but they can't be looking ahead, and have to take care of business against lesser opponents. It's also a good opportunity to work on a part of your game that you will need against stronger competition," added Click.

Isaiah Chapen beat Workman of Philomath 6-3,1-6, 6-2.

"Isaiah's match was three sets," said Click. "He breezed in the first. His opponent adjusted to his quirky game and took the second set rather easily, and Isaiah went down 0-2 in the final set. At the change-over, I gave Isaiah two strategy points to focus on, and then told Isaiah, who trains in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), 'You're in a cage fight, and if I'm in a fight, I want you on my side. Go MMA this kid off the court.' He won the final six games to win the match!"

Jackson Rheuben lost his first match, but won two consolation matches; an 8-1 victory over Gabriel Miller of Estacada and an 8-5 win over Holt Porfily of Crook County. Rheuben will play in the consolation finals.

George Bates and Drew Collins-Burke advanced to the quarterfinals by default, as the team from North Marion was unable to play. The other three doubles teams lost their first round match, and were eliminated in consolation play.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, Sisters capitalized on their experience and recorded a 7-1 victory over Estacada in the last league match of the season. The Rangers had many first-year players, so victories for the Outlaws came easily. Sisters swept the singles matches and won three of the four doubles matches.

Kizziar finished league undefeated at 8-0 with his decisive 6-1, 6-0 win over Cody Syring. The win gave Jed the top seed at No. 1 singles at District.

Weber (No. 2 singles) also controlled the court in his 6-1, 6-0 win over Tai Shibahara, and wrapped up his league play at 7-1. Isaiah Chapen (No. 3 singles) made quick work of Jeffery Lippert and won with scores of 6-1, 6-0, to finish 4-3 in league play.

Jackson Rheuben, first-year player, won his first match of the season. Jackson survived a 7-6 tiebreaker in the first set, and then sailed to a 6-0 second-set win.

Eli Gurney and Brogan Petterson beat Gabriel Martinez and Grant Wagner in a very close 7-5, 6-4 match. The victory marked the duo's third league win at the No. 1 doubles spot.

"As the Outlaws' No. 1 team, they always face the strongest team from the opposition," said Click. "They've suffered some tough losses, so it was nice for them to come out on top in a tight match."

George Bates and Drew Collins-Burke (No. 3 doubles) persevered in a 7-6 tiebreaker in the first set against Fernando Villafarla and Casey Pinto, and then rolled to a 6-1 second-set win.

Tucker Higgins and Colton Seymour (No. 4 doubles) defeated James Rich and Jon Juker 6-4, 7-6.

The Outlaws wrapped up league with a 4-3-1 record.