Medical Lake’s Noah Ray split four matches at the state 1A/2B/1B tennis tournament in Yakima finishing seventh in singles.
Ray defeated Nicholas Arron from University Prep 7-6 (6), 6-3 to open the tournament. He lost to eventual champ, Cashmere’s Tyler Kert 6-1, 6-0. That set up a rematch with a familiar face, Tyson Lim of Deer Park who he easily defeated 6-0, 6-0 but Ray lost to fourth-place finisher Caleb Hardesty of Tonasket, 6-0, 6-2.
“Personally, I feel that Noah’s first match was his best,” co-head coach Dawn Elaissen wrote in an email. “Arron was trying to serve and volley, but his first serve was missing a lot and Noah took advantage of the slower second serve with some solid passing shots.”
The match against Cashmere was really fun to watch because Ray played without any pressure and just swung away, Eliassen observed. “He looked like he was having the time of his life, with a big smile on his face the whole time,” she added.
In a bit of irony, it was Tonasket’s Hardesty who again caused Ray grief. He is the one who bumped Ray from the tournament last year.
In addition to the seventh-place medal, Ray was chosen to receive the boys’ tournament Sportsmanship Award for his on-court behavior. “I am more proud of that award,” Eliassen said.
Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].
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