The young Outlaws tennis squad got a taste of District Tournament play, which began on Wednesday, May 11, at Estacada High School. All four players were eliminated on day one.

Jaxon Barry, the lone senior and most experienced player on the team, lost his first-round match to Riley Adair of Madras 3-6, 2-6. He went into consolation and defeated Jesus Leon of Woodburn in an 8-1 pro set. Barry was then eliminated in the next round of consolation in a 2-8 pro set loss to Spencer Dirks from Stayton.

The Outlaws’ other three players lost both their opening round matches, and their initial consolation pro sets.

Matthew Riehle (junior) lost 1-6, 2-6 to Martin Ruiz, Molalla’s No. 1 singles player, and then fell 4-8 to Lee Oliver of Madras. Zenus Ortega (junior) lost 0-8 to Dereck Salgado of Madras and then fell 2-8 to Stayton’s Tim Christensen.

Freshman Jaiden Skidmore lost 4-8 to Ethan Shepard from North Marion and then was defeated 0-8 by Cascade’s Carson Swift.

All four Outlaws improved their skills and got better over the course of the season, and the three younger players all plan to return next year.