Thrilling tennis victories

The Camas and Washougal rivalry continued on the tennis courts Thursday, as the Papermaker boys defeated the Panthers 6-0, at Camas High School.

Sam Christopher topped Ryan Janiszewski 6-0, 6-2 in the first singles match, Rylan Marshall defeated Jaden Moore 6-0, 6-2 at second singles, and Jared Brophy beat Korbin McDonald 6-1, 6-1 at third singles.

Wilson Ho and Brian Wang beat Scott Anderson and Jalen Watts 6-1, 6-1 at first doubles. Max Gantar and Soroush Badiei took care of Riley Paladin and Marcus Bennett 6-0, 6-1 at second doubles. Toby Pizot and Krishnan Nair defeated Michael Gonser and Josh Stout 6-0, 6-0 at third doubles.

Washougal head coach Angela Watts said nerves were a factor in the first sets, but she saw the Panthers getting comfortable and making adjustments in the second sets.

“I definitely want my players to be more aggressive. That will come,” Watts said. “Keep your heads up. This is only the beginning. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I know they’re willing to do it.”

Camas earned a 5-1 victory against Prairie Wednesday.

Christopher (6-2, 6-1), Ho (6-2, 6-4) and Wang (6-1, 6-1) won their singles matches for the Papermakers. Gantar and Badiei outlasted two Falcons 6-2, 1-6, 6-0 in a doubles match. Marshall and Brophy beat their opponents 7-5, 6-3.

“We don’t have any superstar players, but we have a solid group of journeymen,” said Camas head coach Jonathan Burton. “I’m encouraged by what I’ve seen in practice and in these first few matches.”

Washougal defeated Fort Vancouver by a games tiebreaker Monday. Each team won three matches and six sets.

Watts and Anderson secured a 6-1, 6-0 victory at first doubles, Bennett and Paladin earned a 6-0, 6-0 sweep, and Fort Vancouver forfeited the final doubles match to Washougal. Although Janiszewski, Moore and Tomas Batalha lost their matches, the 22 games they won helped the Panthers in the tiebreaker.

Camas earned a 7-6 sets tiebreaker victory against Mountain View Tuesday.

Christopher (6-2, 6-0), Ho (6-2, 6-3) and Wang (6-1, 6-4) won their singles matches. Marshall and Brophy lost a three-set doubles match (4-6, 6-4, 4-6). That set they won helped Camas secure the team victory.

Thrilling wins like the ones Camas and Washougal achieved against Mountain View and Fort vancouver is why Burton continues to support this tiebreaker format.

“Every player no matter if they are way ahead or way far behind plays a role in whether we win or lose a match,” he said. “If it comes down to a set or a game, each player can make a difference.”