The Sumner Spartans boys tennis team began the season with a 5-0 loss to North Thurston in a nonleague match Wednesday.

“It was a tough start for us going up against one of the strongest teams in the state. David Schuster was the runner up at the state tournament last year so he was a tough matchup for Grant. Overall the team played well for how young we are, but the guys saw how far we have to go to be a top team and know we need to put in more work at practice,” said coach Chris Heacox.

David Schuster of North Thurston beat Sumner’s Grant Fulton 6-0, 6-0. Quinn Laiter defeated Jacob Heuett 6-4, 7-6.

In doubles play, Nikhil Das and Evan Seguirant were triumphant over Will Mortell and Dylan Russell 6-0, 6-1; Matthew Eveleth and Scott Vannerson defeated Ben Landes and Alex Landes 6-2, 6-3; and Erik Solveson and Jooneil Ahn defeated Christian Hines and Hunter Bleha 6-2, 6-0.

The Spartans host Auburn Mountainview Monday in South Puget Sound League 3A play.