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Steamboat Springs — Early nerves and inexperience did little to thwart the Steamboat Springs High School boys tennis team Wednesday as it easily topped Montrose, 7-0.

The Sailors - featuring four freshmen and three sophomores in the lineup - breezed through the day, losing only one set.

"There was a few nerves with the first match," Steamboat coach John Aragon said. "But overall, I'm really pleased."

Besides a default win for freshman Jamey Swiggart at No. 1 singles, the rest of the Steamboat squad was able to get its first look at a team in its region.

Steamboat's No. 2 singles player, Keegan Burger, easily beat Montrose's Tim Koski, 6-4, 6-3. Sailors junior and No. 3 singles player Jeff Lambart defeated Tyler Betz, 6-1, 6-4. On the doubles side, all four teams cruised to victory.

The No. 1 doubles team of Jack Burger and Charlie Smith, the No. 3 doubles team of Zach Valicenti and Ben Paley and the No. 4 doubles team of Murphy Roberts and Kyle Rogers did not drop a set.

The No. 2 doubles team of Mirko Erspamer and Max Roder dropped its second set, 1-6, after winning the first, 6-2. The team then went on to win the third set, 6-2. Aragon said he was especially impressed with Roberts and Rogers, a pair of freshmen playing in their first high school tournament.

"They were a little nervous, but they settled in and played well," Aragon said. "I was very impressed. They really did a good job for us."

Although it was just the first match of the year, Aragon said it was good to play Montrose, a team that, along with Aspen, Steamboat will have to battle at the regional tournament later in the year. Although Aragon was happy, he said there still are areas the team needs to improve as the season progresses. He said he wants his players to improve their first-serve percentages and footwork.

"It's going to come down to how hard they are willing to work, now to regionals," he said. "We have a lot of talent that's young. We need to be in a lot of pressure situations in practice to get to that next level."

Steamboat's next match is at 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Tennis Center at Steamboat Springs.

- To reach Luke Graham, call 871-4229

or e-mail lgraham@steamboatpilot.com