Netters hang tough

Hampered by injuries and inexperience, the Oak Harbor High School tennis team knew it had a full plate Monday afternoon hosting league-leading Snohomish.

Hampered by injuries and inexperience, the Oak Harbor High School tennis team knew it had a full plate Monday afternoon hosting league-leading Snohomish.

The Panthers are undefeated and entered the WesCo North match with an 10-0 record. As a result, they had no problem handling the 1-8 Wildcats and rolled to a 7-0 victory.

Despite losing every match in straight sets, coach Horace Mells said the team remains positive.

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“We are making progress, the only problem is we don’t have much of the season left,” he said.

Several weeks ago, the Wildcats lost first singles player Alyssa Merriman due to a back injury and changes had to be made in the rotation.

“Everybody had to move up and I had to change some of the doubles teams around,” Mells said.

Then sophomore Laurin Rico, who was playing third singles, hurt her knee and had to retire in back-to-back matches.

“She has had a bad knee for some time, it’s one of those nagging little injuries,” Mells said. “Today, I have her playing in a doubles match so she won’t have to work so hard. It will put less strain on her knee.”

Pairing with senior Marilu Morgan, the duo lost 6-2, 7-6 (5) to the Snohomish team of Mel Bjorethun and Katie Melnyk.

Fourth singles player Molly Deleon battled Sonja La Berge before losing 6-3, 6-4.