SEATTLE – The Bainbridge High varsity tennis team won its opening volley in the 2016 season with a squeaker, finishing off Bishop Blanchet this week.

“On the varsity side we prevailed with a very hard fought 6-5 win. We swept five of our six singles matches and then we took the always pivotal mixed doubles,” noted BHS Head Coach Jennifer Shorr.

In girls No. 1 singles, Bainbridge’s Samantha Jiang defeated Natalie Phillips, 6-6, 3-4.

Fellow Spartan Eli Wagner also scored a big win, 6-4, 11-7, 6-4.

Several freshman made their debuts against Bishop Blanchet, including Lily Welch, Sophia Scott and Bjorn Stanley.

In her first Metro matchup, Welch won 6-6, 2-0 over Lacy O’Clair.

Also in girls singles, BHS’ Elise Van Slyke beat Gaby Hampsom, 6-2, 6-2.

Jeromy Lipshutz faced the Knights’ Will Marriman and came up short in boys singles, 6-4, 6-7, 4-6.

Mason Ogden held his own for the Spartans, with a huge 6-3, 6-1 victory over David Oshner.

The Spartans struggled in doubles play, but Eli Rogers and Maddy Britto came through in mixed doubles to win 6-2, 6-3 over Tommy Roske and Ashley Wood.