TUCSON - The Douglas Bulldog tennis team took to the road for the first time this season only to fall 6-3 to the Sahuaro Cougars in a non-conference match.

Freshman Joe Owen, playing No. 1 singles for Douglas, had his hands full with Sahuaro’s No.1 singles player who overpowered the inexperienced Bulldog with his explosive serves as Owen fell 0-6, 0-6.

DJ Campas, playing at No. 2 singles, lost his first match 2-6, won the second 6-4 and then dropped the third 4-6.

Spencer Grijalva playing at No. 3 singles, was defeated 0-6, 2-6.

George Watkins, playing No. 4 singles, was defeated 0-6, 1-6.

Joaquin Nunez, playing No 5 singles, fell 3-6, 1-6 and Istac Villanueva, playing No. 6 singles, was beaten 3-6, 4-6.

In doubles play Douglas’ No.1 tandem of Owen and Campas were 8-0 winners.

Grijalva and Watkins won their match 8-1 at No. 2 singles and Nunez and Villanueva were 8-3 winners No. 3 singles.

There was no junior varsity matches Friday.

After the match Douglas’ tennis coach Katie Walker said this was a very tough match for her team and going in she wasn’t sure what to expect but latter remembered Sahuaro was a very good team.

The coach said after playing three matches this week she has realized her team is very inexperienced especially at the varsity level.

Owen, the Bulldogs No. 1 singles player, has only played three high school matches and all three were this week.

The Bulldogs kick off league play this week taking on Palo Verde Thursday in Tucson before hosting Sahuarita on Friday.

The coach said both matches should be challenging for her team since she knows for sure Palo Verde has some good tennis players coming back and Sahuarita should be tough as well.

Coach Walker is happy however she’ll get three days of practice in with her team before beginning league play.