NILES – 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).

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.

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

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