The Sumner Spartans boys tennis team began the season with a 5-0 loss to North Thurston in a nonleague match Sept. 9.

“It was a tough start for us going up against one of the strongest teams in the state,” coach Chris Heacox said. “David Schuster was the runner up at the state tournament last year so he was a tough matchup for Grant (Fulton). Overall the team played well for how young we are, but the guys saw how far we have to go to be a top team and know we need to put in more work at practice.”

Schuster beat Fulton 6-0, 6-0. Quinn Laiter defeated Jacob Heuett 6-4, 7-6.

In doubles play, Nikhil Das and Evan Seguirant were triumphant over Will Mortell and Dylan Russell 6-0, 6-1; Matthew Eveleth and Scott Vannerson defeated Ben Landes and Alex Landes 6-2, 6-3; and Erik Solveson and Jooneil Ahn defeated Christian Hines and Hunter Bleha 6-2, 6-0.

The Spartans host Yelm Thursday in nonleague action and Auburn Mountainview Monday in South Puget Sound League 3A play.

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