The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

In Monday’s match at home the Outlaws fought the wind the entire day and in the end fell 3-5 to The Dalles. Coach Vince Grace was out of town and girls Coach Bruce Fenn stepped in as coach.

Dominic Pulver (No. 1 singles) started off slow, but managed to defeat Jack McCallister 3-6, 6-2, 10-2 (tiebreaker).

Fenn said, “Pulver has a big, booming first serve, and once he handled the wind there was nothing McCallister could do. Pulver has a big-hitting forehand that his opponent cannot handle. If you can control hard hitting and be consistent, that is a winning combination.”

Finn Stancliff, at No. 3 singles, showed good shots at the net and volleyed balls away from Jesus Chavez to win in two straight sets with scores of 6-4, 6-3.

“Finn’s moving to the net confused Chavez and made it difficult for him to get the ball past him,” said Fenn. “Going to the net put more pressure on Chavez.”

Joseph Derksen (No. 4 singles) was able to return the ball in the gusty wind and came out on top 7-5, 6-3, against Dante Kim.

Fenn said, “Derksen had a fluid, easy forehand and he was more confident keeping the ball in play.”

Fenn noted that Sisters’ doubles teams of Dylan Rundle and Toban Bionda (No. 1 doubles) and Weston Dean and Liam Hubble (No. 2 doubles) tried their best, but still need more practice to log a win. He added that tennis is a game of repetition and being aware of how to keep the ball in play.

“In doubles your position on the court is critical to your success,” said Fenn. “The doubles teams are progressing, but just need more experience in positioning on the court working as a team.”

On Saturday, the No. 1 and No. 2 singles and doubles teams participated in an eight-team event at Madras High School. Teams including Sisters, Madras, Crook County, Stayton, Pendleton, Baker, Estacada, and Henley. Sisters finished third in the overall team event, despite the fact they were the youngest team in attendance.

Each player from Sisters played either seven singles or doubles games against all seven schools for a total of 49 games.

Pulver won 36 of the 49 games and took first place at the No. 1 singles spot. Pulver’s serve and big forehand were on fire, which led him to the single’s title.

Jude Parzybok (No. 2 singles) won 35 of his 49 games played, and his net volleys and beautiful ground strokes carried him to his second-place finish.

Jack Murray and Will McDonnell (No. 1 doubles) won 17 of 49 games and finished sixth. The duo had never played doubles together, but they gelled and took sixth place against an older, more seasoned No. 1 doubles team. The games they did lose usually went to deuce in the no-ad event.

Stancliff and Derksen won 22 of 49 games. The pair exhibited their athleticism and overall tennis skills, and their determination was invaluable in their fifth-place finish. Stancliff and Derksen also took their opponents to numerous deuce games.

Greg Everson, long-time assistant coach, said, “The kids played from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it was a long, exhausting, yet highly competitive day! We’re looking ahead to more tennis excitement as the boys keep improving throughout the season.”

The Outlaws were scheduled to play Madras on Tuesday, April 9. On Thursday they will travel to Prineville for a match against the Cowboys.