Continuing its Trans-Valley League slate, Orestimba High tennis team fell short to Ripon Christian High, 5-4, on the road last Friday.

Both teams fared well against one another through certain matches. Orestimba swept Ripon Christian in the girls singles and boys doubles while the Knights easily handled the Warriors in the boys singles and girls doubles. Orestimba didn’t have a player for one of the boys singles matches, which automatically gave Ripon Christian the win.

Ultimately, Friday’s matchup was decided by the mixed doubles match. After the Warriors’ Alejandra Franco and Izyk Ramirez won the opening set, the Knights’ Makenna Kootstra and Micah Blackmon bounced in the second set, 6-4, to force a decisive third set. Kootstra and Blackmon easily handled Orestimba’s duo, winning the set and match, 6-3.

While the outcome isn't the one that the team wanted, Warriors head coach Nolan Osborn said it was an improvement from last season’s matchups against the Knights where they lost 8-1 twice.

“I told all my players, ‘It’s kind of a win in our books,’” Osborn said. “[It] shows that we can keep up,”

After losing 6-1 in the opening set of her singles matchup against Ripon Christian’s Kora Harris, Orestimba’s Mirella Fregoso approached Osborn with frustration. As she prepared for a decisive second set, Osborn told her that the first period didn't decide the match. That message is what he often preaches to his players, Osborn said.

That advice proved to be instrumental for Fregoso as she bounced back with a 7-5 win to force a final set. She later won the match with a close 7-6 win in the third set.

Ashlynn Bell completed the Warriors sweep in the girls singles matches by winning her matchup against Tatum Sonke through two sets, 6-3, 6-3.

The duo of Jose Rodriguez and Nabeel Ali showcased their chemistry against the Knights with a two-set win in the boys doubles, 6-3, 6-4. Following them was Aaron Gallardo and Kevin Rodriguez, who also won their doubles matchup in two sets, 6-4, 6-4.

After winning due to an Orestimba forfeit, Alton Mensonides secured the boys singles sweep for Ripon Christian with a two-set win against Warren Varner without allowing a single point, 6-0, 6-0.

The Knights continued their dominance in the girls doubles matches by winning both of their matches against the Warriors.

Orestimba will be back in Newman to begin a four-game homestand, starting with Ripon High School on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m.