Chiefs tennis drops tough match to Kamiakin

MOSES LAKE — A longstanding losing streak to Kamiakin was one thing the Moses Lake Chiefs boys tennis team hoped to end on Thursday when the two teams faced off.

Unfortunately, the only thing to finish was the Chiefs’ unbeaten start to the season as Kamiakin pulled out a 5-2 victory.

“Long time Moses Lake residents in the tennis community have told me no boys team has defeated Kamiakin since we joined the Big 9,” Moses Lake coach Jon Wrigley said. “Kamiakin had three doubles players gone and we fell a tad short in seizing the opportunity.

Moses Lake’s Connor Lange lost his first match of the season at No. 1 singles, 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 and No.2 singles player Conner Koreis fell 6-3, 6-1.

Tyler Knapp dropped his match at No. 3, 6-2, 6-2, while Mikael Mulugeta secured the Chiefs’ only win at singles with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 win.

In doubles action, the No. 1 team of Dominic Cacchiotti and Levi Huddleston moved to 4-0 on the season as they won 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.

“Levi has grown into a solid player at first doubles, and coming into the season I knew Cacchiotti was going to be a solid player at that position but was not sure who his partner was going to be,” Wrigley said.  “Huddleston clearly rose to the challenge and they are a tough team.”

The rest of the Moses Lake (3-1) doubles ladder fell in their matches as No. 2 Josh Black and Adam Coulson fell 7-6 (7-1), 6-4, and Michael Mekonen and Justin Nunez dropped a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) decision at No. 3.

“We are still working on the fire and tempo needed to take control of doubles matches,” Wrigley said. “Our doubles is clearly a strength for us, but this should show where we can improve.”

Entiat Boys 2, Wilson Creek 1

WILSON CREEK — In first doubles, Brandon Melvin and James Storfa recorded an 8-6 win but it wasn’t enough to make up for two losses at singles on Wednesday as Wilson Creek dropped its season opener.

Kamiakin Girls 6, Moses Lake 1

MOSES LAKE — Audrey Ramsden recorded a 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 4 singles to secure the Moses Lake Chiefs’ sole win against Kamiakin in their 6-1 home loss yesterday.

“The girls are feeling the effect of five matches in six days,” Wrigley said. “Melissa Calder is fighting with blisters and a few others mentioned fatigue. Regardless, Kamiakin has a doubles state champion on top of their ladder and have some talented athletes who have hit more tennis balls then we have at this point.”

Ramsden won after rallying from the early one set deficit.

“She gained her composure to take control of the match.,” Wrigley said.

The top three singles players, Rachel Korth at No. 1, Rachel Hoffstetter at No. 2, and No. 3 Calder all dropped two-set contests.

“Rachel continues to impress even in her first loss of the year,” Wrigley said. “She made her opponent work to earn every point.  I have been so pleased watching her develop since I started working with her last year.”

On the doubles ladder, Amanda Hart/Courtney Kunjara at No. 1, Iris Banks and Jessica Homesley at No, 2, and the No. 3 team of Annalise Odegaard and Emily Roth also dropped two-set decisions.

Wilson Creek Girls 4, Entiat 1

WILSON CREEK — Wilson Creek recorded a 4-1 win over Entiat on Wednesday to open their season.

The Lady Devils won two out of the three singles matches and swept doubles action to start off their season on a positive.

“I was very proud of our young players,” Wilson Creek coach Mike Ottis said. “This was our first match for a lot of our players and they did a really nice job competing.”