Taking the court for their first action of the season, Escalon’s tennis team took a 7-2 loss to Orestimba on Friday, Feb. 24.

Earning the wins were Tommy Pangan at boys number one singles, 6-3, 6-0 and the number ones girls doubles team of Rachel DeVecchio and Mikayla Schut, who won it in a third set tiebreaker, 11-9.

“Our team is mostly full of players who have never played before. They all give 100 percent effort every day at practice, and they worked really hard in their matches,” said coach Staci Diaz. “Unfortunately, Orestimba had more experienced players than us, so we struggled a bit. However, we are all excited for the season, and I’m looking forward to seeing players improve.”

Diaz also noted that it was Pangan’s first ever singles match victory.

Playing hard but losing in their openers were Jevan Salyer at boys number two singles, Brooklyn Berry (No. 1) and Courtney Ney (No. 2) in girls singles.

Also, the boys number one doubles Michael Gaines and Sahil Prasad took a loss, as did number two boys doubles Moises Calais and Chaz Cisneros and number two girls doubles Amanda Salvador and Kara Kennedy. Mixed doubles Elizabeth Shelley and Trent Berchtold took a hard fought 4-6, 3-6 loss.

The team was slated to play at home Tuesday, after The Times went to press, hosting Ripon Christian. They go to Liberty Ranch in Galt on Wednesday, March 1 and then head to the Riverbank Doubles Tournament on Friday.