Decatur snaps TJ's tennis streak


June 13, 2008 · Updated 2:38 PM 

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By CASEY OLSON

The Mirror

The Decatur Gators served up a huge early-season South Puget Sound League South Division victory Monday over the defending league champion Thomas Jefferson Raiders, 3-2.

It was the Raiders’ first loss in over a year. Jefferson finished with a perfect 13-0 record in 2003, which included two wins over Decatur.

“It definitely was as close as it looks,” said Decatur coach Steve Escame.

Jefferson easily won at No. 2 and 3 doubles and Decatur’s Chris Rice and Travis Wagner beat TJ’s Jewel Sharpe and John Poore at No. 1 doubles, 6-3, 6-2.

Zach Bunting and Colin Okazaki beat Decatur’s Tim Blackner and Kevin Hilden at No. 2 doubles, 6-1, 6-2, and Shane Odenwalder and Matt Davidson beat Alex Paterson and Alex Kwon at No. 3, 6-3, 6-0.

But Decatur got a pair of big wins in the two singles matches Monday afternoon.

“Both singles could have gone either way,” Escame said.

Fabian Saenz, who moved to Federal Way from Texas, played No. 1 singles for the Gators and came from behind late in the first set to beat Jefferson’s Kenny Fritschy, 7-6 (7-4), 6-4.

Decatur sophomore Lawrence Lin bounced back after losing the second set to beat Chris Yoon in No. 2 singles, 6-2, 2-6, 6-0.

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