EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – The first week of varsity boys tennis left Excelsior Springs looking to reach .500.

The local netters went 1-2, falling 7-2 March 29 to visiting Lafayette County of Higginsville and 9-0 March 30 at Warrensburg before sweeping visiting Clinton 9-0 March 31.

Junior Colby Mueller opened the Lafayette County match with an 8-0 loss in No. 1 singles. Junior Carter Pitts battled but fell 8-5 in No. 2 singles.

Junior Lee Mueller dropped the No. 3 singles match 8-3. Junior Josh Oldham fell 8-2 in the fourth position.

Junior Nolan Greim picked up the lone singles win for Excelsior Springs, 8-2, in the fifth spot.

Junior Matthew Rebello fell 8-2 to complete singles play.

Pitts and Colby Mueller fell 8-2 in No. 1 doubles. Oldham and Lee Mueller fell 8-0 in No. 2 doubles. Greim and Rebello fought through a back-and-forth match to win 9-8 in No. 3 doubles.

At Warrensburg, Colby Mueller fell in No. 1 singles 8-0. Pitts fell 8-3 in the second spot.

Lee Mueller dropped the third spot 8-2. O…