Omak Pioneers had their first tennis competition this last Saturday in Chelan. It was a jamboree with Chelan and Manson to kick start the season, with all eligible varsity and JV players able to compete. Though no team score was kept, the Pioneers did very well, going 11-1 in our JV matches, 6-4 in girls' varsity matches, and 6-3 in boys' varsity matches. Senior Jonathan Kirk led the way for the Pioneers, who picked up a win in singles, defeating last year's Co-Player of the Year from Chelan, 8-4. He then turned around and picked up two more wins in the #1 doubles. First while playing with Noah Rose in one match against Chelan and then with Dreyk Humphries-Lopez in another match against Manson. Keeping pace with big brother, little sister Kathleen Kirk picked up two wins at #1 singles, first against Chelan and then against Manson. Finley Sackman and Paityn Richter blasted Chelan's #1 doubles 8-1, then turned around and defeated a solid #1 doubles team from Manson 8-2. Other varsity players picking up wins included Hayden Velasco at #2 singles against Chelan and Cyelah O'Neil, Carly Lassila at #2 doubles, also against Chelan. Noah Rose picked up a #2 singles win against Chelan, and Jonah Rose grabbed a #3 singles win against Manson.
The Pioneer JV team started the season with a bang and came very close to a complete sweep. 12 JV matches were played, and the Pioneers won 11 of them, with the one lost coming in a tie-breaker. Close to half of our JV were competing in their first tennis matches ever.
Next up for the Pioneers are two home non-league matches, Pateros on Tuesday night and Tonasket on Friday night. Saturday our JV will be heading to Ephrata for a JV only Jamboree.