Opening league play and navigating through heavy winds, the Coupeville boys tennis team defeated visiting Friday Harbor 4-1 Friday, Sept. 24, to capture round one of the best-of-three series.

Coupeville and Friday Harbor, the only 1A tennis teams in the district, form their own two-team league, and the conference crown is decided by a three-match series.

The two teams will meet again Oct. 7 and 15.

The Wolves dominated the match, and their only loss came in first doubles when Sam Weaver sprained an ankle and he and partner Nate Lamb were forced to forfeit. The score was 2-2 in the first set when Weaver was injured.

Ben Hayes took No. 1 singles 7-6 (7-2), 6-1. After a close first set, Hayes finished strong by taking the final five games in set two.

In No. 2 singles, Chase Bates won 6-4, 6-2. Coach Ken Stange said Bates’ athleticism, speed and determination helped him grab to the win.

Nic Anthony and Larry Hurlburt used “steady” play, according to Stange, to take the second doubles match 6-2, 6-2. Stange said the pair wears “down opponents who don’t have the resilience to play consistently.”

Ben Wehrman and Jason Knoll rolled to a 6-0, 6-0 win in third doubles. Stange said Wehrman was the “dominant player on the court” and Knoll “played consistently.”

“This week things will get noticeably more difficult,” Stange said, “as South Whidbey will pay us a visit Tuesday (Sept. 28 at 3 p.m.). It should be a fun learning experience for us to go up against the best tennis team on the island.”