The 2012 season ended with the Truckee boys tennis team taking second at state, marking the best performance in program history.

In a similar situation to the Truckee football team, which graduated a great number of players, tennis lost nine seniors and six of the nine starters. The young team has only four returning seniors, but its success last year attracted many new, young players to the sport.

“We are very pleased to have 23 players this year, including many freshman and sophomores,” said Truckee head coach Rick Deeter.

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Thursday was the team’s first match, and they fared well in a 12-6 road win over Reed.

Seniors Addison Dvorecek and Toby Ziegler, along with senior foreign exchange student Nicholas Gardella from Argentina, swept both first- and second-round sets, giving Truckee a solid cushion in the 18-set match.

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Three new doubles teams took the stage for the first time. Colin Gerrard and Teagan Pado won 6-1, 6-3, while Aaron Deeter teamed up with sophomore transplant Ethan Gotts (from Oakland) to win 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 through three sets.

Brandon Flora and Eli Yale faced Reed’s Nos. 1 and 2. After warming up a set, the doubles team went to a 4-4 tie before slipping a break and losing 4-6. However, the wins were sufficient to lock up the victory.

The early-round wins allowed for substitutions that sent in several newcomers, including freshman Jaden Hippler and Quinton Butler.

Perhaps one of the most exciting matches was Colter Fellows teaming up with Tanner Smith in the final-round doubles, forcing a 6-6 tiebreaker. With the team cheering them on, the two sophomores dug in their heels and won the tiebreaker 7-0.

“Our players have improved dramatically over the past few weeks, filling some mighty big shoes, and winning the season opener,” said Truckee coach Marc Pado.

Truckee is scheduled to play McQueen and Reno this week.

— This article was submitted to Sports Editor Sylas Wright at swright@sierrasun.com.