Weiser tennis beats Fruitland for first time in six years

A 7-5 win over SRV Conference rival Fruitland on Thursday was the highlight of a busy week of matches for the Weiser High School varsity tennis team.
 Weiser coach Angie Soulen was elated with her first win over the Grizzlies since she took over the Wolverines tennis program six years ago.
 Before the match started rain looked like a real possibility in Weiser so both coaches made the decision at the beginning of the match to play a 10 point tie-breaker in place of a full set.  
 Weiser’s Bryce Bake, a new face on the Wolverine team this year but an experienced player, had a close first set against a quality opponent in Fruitland’s Austin Smith. Bake rallied for the win in two sets, 7-6 (8), 6-4.
 “Bryce once again played outstanding against another tough opponent Austin Smith. This time Bryce finished the match with a ‘W’ which feels great,” Soulen said.
 Playing in the No. 2 singles spot for the varsity boys, Eli To’omalatai continues to play strong tennis. He picked up a win against Kade Farmer of Fruitland, 6-4, 7-5.
 Isaac To’omalatai, playing the No. 3 singles position, completed the singles sweep for Weiser. He cruised by Fruitland’s Anthony McComb in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.
 In girls singles, Weiser’s No. 1 player Grace Soulen beat Fruitland’s Chanlar O’Neil in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1.
 Soulen played two singles matches on Thursday. Brooke Bodily from Melba is playing in the district this season because Melba doesn’t have a tennis team. Soulen beat her in a pro set 8-1.
 In the No. 2 spot for Weiser, Andrea Bouvia beat Lizzy Starr in two sets, 6-2, 6-4.
 No. 3 player freshman Britynn Seward ran into a tought opponent in Fruitland’s Addie Clevenger. Seward came back to win the second set but dropped the match in the tie-breaker, 1-6, 6-2 (10-4).
 In boys doubles, Weiser Matthew Westover and Kelvin Price lost a close match. The duo won the first set against Fruitland’s Dillon Gopp and Keaton Lawrence but lost the second set and the tie-breaker, 6-4, 6-7 10-12.
 Weiser’s No. 2 boys doubles team of Karson Brush and Layton Tolman defeated Trey Buster and Will Mccomb in the tie-breaker, 6-0, 3-6, 10-3.
 In No. 1 girls doubles, Weiser’s Sienna McClellan and Brooke Anderson lost in straight sets to Fruitland’s Lilly Richins and Betsie Barlow in straight sets, 3-6, 2-6.
 Weiser’s No. 2 girls doubles team of Denica McClellan and Emma Tolman got the win over Audrey Saba and Grace Huff, 6-2, 6-4.
 In mixed doubles, Weiser’s Pedro Ixta and Bentley Weldon took on the strong mixed doubles team of Logan Lloyd and Kaylee Benear of Fruitland. The Grizzlies won the match over the Wolverines 6-2, 6-1.
 On Saturday, the Weiser tennis team traveled to Nampa to make up the rained-out Ridgevue tournament. Because of the rescheduling there were only three teams – Weiser, Fruitland and Ridgevue.
 Weiser played another make-up match against Parma last Wednesday.
Weiser 4, Parma 8
April 10
 Boys singles: No. 1 - Parma’s Payden Rohrbacher defeated Weiser’s Bryce Bake, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6.
 No. 2 - Parma’s Parker Dodge defeated Weiser’s Eli To’omalatai, 6-0, 7-5.
 No. 3 - Weiser’s Isaac To’omalatai beat Josiah Larson of Parma, 6-4, 6-3.
 Girls Singles: No. 1 - Weiser’s Grace Soulen beat Parma’s Austyn Harris, 6-0, 6-1.
 No. 2 - Andrea Bouvia beat Parma’s Katelyn Leavitt, 6-0, 6-2.
 No. 3 - Parma’s Karli Hancock beat Britynn Seward, of Weiser, 6-1, 6-1.
 Doubles: No. 1 - Parma’s Ryan Nielsen and Jared Nielsen defeated Weiser’s Kelvin Price and Mathew Westover, 6-0, 6-1.
 No. 1 - Ashley Brown and Courtney Weber, Parma, defeated Brooke Anderson and Sienna McClellan, Weiser, 6-3, 6-0.
 No. 1 - Blaine Rohrbacher and Megan Hancock, Parma, defeated Pedro Ixta and Bentley Weldon, Weiser, 6-1, 6-1.
 No. 2 - Quinn Dodge and Garrett Weber, Parma, defeated Karson Brush and Layton Tolman, Weiser, 6-2, 6-4.
 No. 2 - Bennett Richards and Angel Salinas, Parma, defeated Denica McClellan and Emma Tolman, Weiser,  6-2, 6-1.
 No. 2 - Nate Lattin and Alexandra Froshiesar, Weiser, defeated Braxtyn Wagstaff and Eliza Stevenson, Parma, 7-5, 5-7, 12-10.
Weiser 6, Homedale 1
April 9
 Last week started for Weiser tennis with a home match against SRV Conference rival Homedale. The Trojans couldn’t field a full varsity team. Weiser got the win 6-1 over Homedale.
 Weiser tennis coach Angie Soulen shuffled the regular line up during the match with Homedale. The Trojans brought eight girls and three boys to Weiser for the match. Players who were not out on the court bundled up against a cold breeze that blew in the afternoon.
 Boys Singles: No. 1 - Branson Ward, Weiser, defeated Connor Slater, Homedale, 6-1, 6-0.
 Girls Singles: No. 1 - Makayla Kelly, Homedale, def. Andrea Bouvia, Weiser, 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.
 No. 2 - Britynn Seward, Weiser, defeated Lindy Phariss, Homedale, 6-1, 6-0.
 No. 3 - Chelise Walker, Weiser, defeated Abbey Henry, Homedale, 6-1, 6-0.
 Doubles: No. 1 - Layton Tolman and Nate Lattin, Weiser, defeated Austin Conant and Joseph Zamudio, Homedale, 6-2, 6-3.
 No. 1 - Denica McClellan and Emma Tolman, Weiser, defeated Laney Swallow and Elizabeth Whitehead, Homedale, 6-1, 6-1.
 No. 2 - Danielle Hoopes and Bake Kristy, Weiser, def. Whitney Ross and Cheyenne Kelly, Homedale, 6-1, 6-1.