By SCOTT NOVAK
Niles Daily Star

It seems as if every time the Niles Vikings and Buchanan Bucks get together to play tennis the weather turns against them.

After having temperatures hover around the 60-degree mark for the better part of a week and in the lower 50s earlier this week, things went south on Thursday.

Despite the cold and windy temperatures, the Vikings were able to slip past the Bucks 5-3 in the season opener for both teams.

After splitting the singles flights, Niles captured three out of the four doubles flights to pull out the victory.

There were a pair of three-set thrillers on Thursday, one in singles and one in doubles.

Buchanan took the three set victory at No. 3 singles where Nash Hughes defeated Tearah Hutcheson 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

In doubles play, Niles’ Lena Cramer and Allison Landgraf defeated Jessie Hansen and Kayle Brademas at No. 1 doubles 4-6, 6-2 and 6-2.

Niles’ two singles victories were picked up by Rachael Horn (No. 1) and Haley Davis (No. 2).

Horn defeated Kristine Gordon 6-1, and 6-0. Davis defeated Kirsten Smallwood 6-3 and 6-4.

Danielle Rothfuchs and Meg Hein were victories at No. 2 doubles, while Taylor Glick and Abigail Stickney won at No. 3 doubles for the Vikings.

Rothfuchs and Hein defeated Maddie Higgins and Ally Cornwell 6-0 and 6-0, while Glick and Stickney defeated Dana Dowell and Audrey Funk 7-5 and 6-4.

Buchanan’s other two wins came at No. 4 singles with Ashley Devereaux and No. 4 doubles with Desi and Lacy Phillips.

Devereaux defeated Bianca Vann 6-3 and 6-3.

The Phillips sisters defeated Anna Benjamin and Paxton Schaller 6-4 and 6-4.

Buchanan…3
Niles…5
Singles
1. Rachael Horn (N) d. Kristine Gordon 6-1, 6-0; 2. Haley Davis (N) d. Kirsten Smallwood 6-3, 6-4; 3. Nash Hughes (B) d. Tearah Hutcheson 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; 4. Ashley Devereaux (B) d. Bianca Vann 6-3, 6-3
Doubles
1. Lena Cramear/Allison Landgraf (N) d. Jessie Hansen/Kayle Brademas 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; 2. Danielle Rothfuchs/Meg Hein (N) d. Maddie Higgins/Ally Cornwell 6-0, 6-1; 3. Taylor Glick/Abigail Stickney (N) d. Dana Dowell/Audrey Funk 7-5, 6-4; 4. Desi Phillips/Lacy Phillips (B) d. Anna Benjamin/Paxton Schaller 6-4 6-4
Varsity records
Buchanan 0-1, Niles 1-0