Though the Coupeville High School tennis team was down a man because of illness, it pulled out its first win of the season, defeating visiting North Mason 4-3 Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Coach Ken Stange had to juggle his lineup with first doubles player Loren Nelson out, but the new look was good enough to squeak out the win over the Bulldogs from Belfair (0-9).

With the team score tied at 3, the Coupeville freshman duo of William Nelson and Joey Lippo rolled to a 6-2, 6-2 win in third doubles to secure the match for the Wolves.

“They’ve gelled and are playing more like a single player as opposed to a doubles team,” Stange said. “This should bode well as they finish the season and as they move toward their sophomore campaign. If I can keep them together as a pair, they could do some serious damage in the coming years.”

Coupeville also earned wins from second singles Sebastian Davis (6-0, 6-3), third singles Kyle Bodamer (6-0, 6-0) and fourth doubles Connor McCormick and Jimmy Myers (6-1, 6-0).

“Sebastian was solid in the second singles spot, playing extremely consistent tennis and keeping his opponent hitting from well behind the baseline,” Stange said. “Kyle posted a double-bagel at No. 3 singles. He was on and off the court before I could even watch more than a few points.”

With Loren Nelson out, Stange opted to move each of his doubles teams up a slot and team Nelson’s partner, Connor McCormick, with the top JV player, Jimmy Myers, in fourth doubles.

“Connor took the experience he’s gained at the top of the doubles lineup, and he was able to take control of the match,” Stange said. “What’s more, Jimmy, as he did when he played varsity singles, raised his game in a significant way. The result was a blowout win.”

Stange called the first doubles match the most dramatic. Joseph Wedekind and John McClarin won the first set 6-4, then lost 6-1, 10-8.

“With their opponents having stepped up their game, I told John and Joseph to take every possible risk during the tiebreaker,” Stange said. “They put themselves in a winning position, up 8-7, but were unable to snag the last two points. After last season, I watched those two young men play tennis almost every day, rain or shine. I really admire their effort and work ethic.”

The win over the 2A Bulldogs was the Wolves’ first over an Olympic League team.

Coupeville (1-4) goes to Port Townsend (1-2) at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2.

Other results versus North Mason:

Singles: 1, Aaron Curtin lost 6-3, 6-3.

Doubles: 2, Grey Rische/Jared Helmstadter lost 6-3, 6-3.

Coupeville winners in JV matches:

Alex Schmakeit/Jeremiah Pace, 6-1; Ethan Spark/Ethan Marx, 6-0; Nick Etzell/Spark, 6-0.