Moses Lake teams split home dual with Davis

MOSES LAKE - Mixed results were the rule of the day on Tuesday as the host Moses Lake Chiefs tennis teams split with the visiting Davis Pirates in Big Nine play.

The Chiefs boys held on for a 5-2 win while the girls were defeated by the same score.

"The boys circled this date as soon as they surprised us last year on the road," Moses Lake head coach Jon Wrigley said. "This was one we wanted, I told my doubles I needed to see some magic and they pulled through.  I felt we were a deeper team and the doubles would be the key to victory."

In the boys' win, the Chiefs got wins at the bookends of the singles' ladder.

Moses Lake No. 1, Levi Huddleston won in convincing fashion, 6-0, 6-3, while Conner Koreis held tough in a 6-4, 6-3 victory at No. 4.

"I was really pleased with Levi today," Wrigley said. "He prefers doubles but really played a scrappy match. Levi beat a real solid player and just mentally broke him down. He did not give many freebies."

Then in doubles play, Moses Lake flexed their muscles, as they hoped to do, in sweeping all three matches.

Nat Mengist and Nathan Sanchez won 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 and the No. 2 team of Drew Perez and Marco Sanchez fought to a scrappy 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 win.

Wrapping up the team's league win was the No. 3 duo of Bryce Perez and Dallas Pryor who won 6-2, 6-1.

"Drew and Marco are younger brothers of varsity players this year," Wrigley said. "This was their first varsity match as they won consecutive matches to work up to second doubles today.  They play with a high level of intensity and have had a great week for two young members of our team.  It was exciting to see them play so well this week."

The boys have also shown resilience in tight spots this season.

As a team the boys have won six of seven matches that went to three sets," Wrigley said. "We rise to the occasion and win with the match is close."

In girls play, the Chiefs were swept in singles but did get win at No. 2 and No. 3 doubles.

Becca Byam and Micayla Strickland won 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 at No. 2 and the No. 3 team of Makena Jansen and Marki Koreis cruised to a 6-1, 6-4 win at No, 3.

"Our girls doubles have really improved every week," Wrigley said. "We are really playing some solid aggressive tennis."