Coupeville got the upper hand on the race for the league tennis title with a helping hand from visiting Friday Harbor Tuesday, Sept. 13.

The Wolverines were one player short and forfeited the second singles match, which turned out to be the difference in the 3-2 Coupeville win.

The Wolves now lead the best-out-of-three league series with Friday Harbor 1-0. The clubs meet again Saturday, Sept. 17, at 11 a.m. in Friday Harbor.

Coupeville picked up its wins in second and third doubles.

Aaron Curtin and Brandon Kelly won 6-1, 6-2 in second doubles in Curtin’s debut. Coach Ken Stange said, “Brandon supplied steady baseline shots, while Aaron took control at the net.”

In third doubles, Ben Wehrman and Brian Norris cruised 6-1, 6-1. Norris, in his debut, teamed up with Wehrman, the normal No. 2 singles player, for the easy win.

Nathan Lamb had “consistency problems,” according to Stange, in dropping the No. 1 singles match 2-6, 3-6.

Larry Hurlburt and Jason Knoll fell 1-6, 1-6 in first doubles against last year’s district runner-up duo.

Konrad Borden received the forfeit win in No. 2 singles.