Tennis: Coupeville, Friday Harbor tie in season opener

The Coupeville and Friday Harbor boys tennis teams warmed up for their three-match showdown with a 2-2 nonleague tie Wednesday, Sept. 8, on the Wolves' courts.

The Coupeville and Friday Harbor boys tennis teams warmed up for their three-match showdown with a 2-2 nonleague tie Wednesday, Sept. 8, on the Wolves’ courts.

The two teams will meet three times this season to determine the winner of their two-team league; they are the only 1A teams in District 1. The first counter will be Thursday, Sept. 16, at Friday Harbor at 3 p.m.

Before that contest, Coupeville will meet the Oak Harbor junior varsity Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 3 p.m. at Coupeville.

In the 2-2 tie Wednesday, neither team was at full strength; both were missing players who have yet to meet the requirement of 10 practices.

Coupeville won both singles matches. Ben Hayes defeated Parker Satin 6-2, 6-1 in No. 1 play; and Sam Weaver was a winner in No. 2 singles over Cody Coyne 6-0, 6-0.

In No. 1 doubles, the Wolves’ duo of Nic Anthony and Larry Hurlburt fell 4-6, 6-3, 2-6 to Zack Reitan and Hayden Place.

Jason Knoll and Brandon Kelly dropped the No. 2 doubles match 0-6, 0-6 to Elwyn Pratt and Ryan Cole.

Coupeville coach Ken Stange said, “The best match of the day was obviously the top doubles match. Nic and Larry fought back after dropping the first set. They struggled in the third set, but the experience of playing a close match will undoubtedly help them as they progress through the year.”