The Coupeville High School tennis team lost for the first time this season when it fell 4-1 at South Whidbey Thursday, Sept. 24, but it turned out to be a winning afternoon for the Wolves and head coach Ken Stange.

“Aside from playing their hearts out, the boys did something else today,” Stange said. “They presented me with a gift: a new set of scorecards for the CHS courts.

“I had no idea this was coming. From what I gather, a bunch of the guys got together, they pooled what I know was a decent chunk of change and then they took it upon themselves to make it happen. I was touched.

“From the opening day of practice, we’ve had a great deal of fun, and the boys have represented the school and community quite well. This is a great example of their goodness.”

The highlight on the courts Thursday was Connor McCormick’s win in second singles. After getting thumped 6-1 in the first set, he came back in dominant fashion to win the next two, 6-3, 6-1.

“He won a hard-fought three setter after dropping the opening set,” Stange said. “Connor has been so steady, and he continues to hone his game. He’s turned into a solid No. 2 singles performer.”

William Nelson and Joey Lippo competed in the day’s most exciting match, losing second doubles in three sets.

“(They) played fantastic,” Stange said. “That tie-breaker ended 14-12 — it was a thriller.”

The Coupeville pair won the first set 6-4 before losing the second 6-3.

Sebastian Davis also played well, Stange said, but fell in first singles 6-1, 6-4 to the latest of a long line of tennis stars from the Newman family, freshman Kody.

John McClarin and Joseph Wedekind lost in first doubles 6-3, 6-1; and Jimmy Myers and Lilan Sekigawa fell in third doubles 6-4, 6-1.

Coupeville (2-1) plays at Archbishop Murphy (2-4) at 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 28.