>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

VALE — The La Grande tennis team is not a figment of your imagination.

Despite having three home matches rained or snowed out, the Tigers are turning in an impressive season — even if the home fans can’t see it.

Shuffling the lineup due to a FBLA trip, the girls team swept Vale 5-0 Thursday.

Kara Gerst and Josi Lyman continued their perfect run winning in straight sets (6-0, 6-0).

“The girls took care of business,” LHS head coach Mike Schireman said. “They handled the changes really well.”

Alix Miles and Maggie Yeates rolled to a victory 6-1, 6-2.

Kayla Wilson (6-2, 6-0), Laura Siltanen (6-0, 6-3) and Esa Grigsby (6-0, 6-0) completed the sweep by shutting out the Viking in their singles matches.

On the boys’ side, the Tigers’ doubles teams received a day off.

Vale didn’t have a first or second doubles team.

Freshman Treyce Schireman received a valuable lesson during his singles match.

Shireman led the first set 5-2, but slowly the lead dissipated.

He ended up losing 7-5.

“He started playing not to lose,” Schireman said. “It’s a good lesson to learn before the district tournament.”

Shireman ended up winning 5-7, 6-3, 6-3.

Eric Hoffnagle dropped his match 6-0, 7-5.

Daniel Yeates gave the boys a 4-1 win by winning in straight sets 6-1, 6-2.

La Grande will host Vale at noon Saturday — hopefully.