Girls Tennis Team Continues Improvement Despite Losses

The Lady Outlaws tennis squad is gaining experience and getting closer in matches despite not posting any wins yet this season.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:00am

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a high school girls tennis match, with sharp planes of color representing the players, court, and equipment. The abstract style captures the team's competitive spirit and growth.A cubist interpretation of the Lady Outlaws' determined effort on the tennis court, as they continue to improve despite early-season losses.Madras Today

The Lady Outlaws tennis team has yet to record a victory this season, but coach Bruce Fenn says the squad is showing steady improvement with each match. On April 9, junior Jessica Stahn played a close first set at No. 1 singles before falling 6-7, 1-6. And on April 11 against Ridgeview, sophomore Lizzy Beaver had several games go to deuce, demonstrating the team's growing competitiveness. Fenn praised the players' determination and focus, noting they are in the 'learning stages' but playing smarter and making matches closer.

Why it matters

High school sports programs often go through rebuilding phases, and the Lady Outlaws tennis team's perseverance and steady progress, even without wins, shows the value of developing young athletes and building a foundation for future success.

The details

In the April 9 match at The Dalles, junior Jessica Stahn made her varsity debut at No. 1 singles, narrowly losing the first set 6-7 before falling 1-6 in the second. Coach Fenn praised Stahn's powerful serves and consistent hustle. Two days later against Ridgeview, several of sophomore Lizzy Beaver's games went to deuce, highlighting the team's growing competitiveness, even in defeat.

  • The Lady Outlaws played at The Dalles on April 9.
  • The team faced Ridgeview on April 11.
  • The Outlaws were scheduled to play at Madras on April 14.

The players

Jessica Stahn

A junior on the Lady Outlaws tennis team who made her varsity debut at No. 1 singles, narrowly losing the first set 6-7 before falling 1-6 in the second.

Lizzy Beaver

A sophomore on the Lady Outlaws tennis team who demonstrated improvement, with several of her games going to deuce against Ridgeview.

Bruce Fenn

The head coach of the Lady Outlaws tennis team, who praised his players' determination, focus, and steady improvement despite the team's lack of wins so far this season.

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What they’re saying

“'They all fought hard and never gave up. I see improvement every match they play.'”

— Bruce Fenn, Head Coach

“'The player today that demonstrated improvement was sophomore Lizzy Beaver. Several games went to deuce (three points all) but she lost the next point and lost the game. That deuce point is the secret of winning more games, set, and match. I was proud to be their tennis coach today because of the girls' never-give-up attitudes.'”

— Bruce Fenn, Head Coach

“'The team is in learning stages right now. Each day that they compete they are playing smarter and the games are closer.'”

— Bruce Fenn, Head Coach

What’s next

The Outlaws were scheduled to play at Madras on Tuesday, April 14.

The takeaway

The Lady Outlaws tennis team's perseverance and steady progress, even without recording any wins so far this season, demonstrates the value of developing young athletes and building a foundation for future success. Their coach's praise for the players' determination, focus, and improving competitiveness suggests the team is headed in the right direction despite the current challenges.