The Fulton Boys Tennis team is off to a shaky start. They are in a league this season with five other teams. Those teams consist of Jamesville-Dewitt, Central Square, Auburn, Oswego, and Cortland.

The Raiders played in their first match of the season against Oswego on their own courts. The Red Raiders put up a good fight but it just was not enough to squeak out a victory. Seniors, Eric Shear and Collin Bennett picked up wins at singles. Seniors Jon Simpson and Steven Thompson picked up a win at doubles. The Raiders lost that match by the score of 4-3.

The Raiders then traveled to Liverpool to play in a non-league match. Shear and Bennett pulled out victories at singles. Other members of the team such as junior Kyle Hotaling, sophomores Sidney Bradshaw, Caleb Dahar, David Cordone, and Reid Devendorf all put up a valiant effort. Seniors Ryan Barry and Thompson and freshmen Noah Cordone and Ryan Nichols also came up just short. The Raiders dropped that contest by a score of 5-2.

The next full match was on the road again against Jamesville Dewitt. The Raiders struggled with the skill and depth of JD. They lost that match by a score of 7-0.

The Raiders yet again were on the road to face the Auburn Maroons. The team put up another great effort but again, came up short of a victory. Pulling out victories in this match were Bennett and Dahar. The Raider tennis team lost this match by a score of 5-2.

The Raiders were back home Tuesday, April 30 against Central Square. Shear and Bennett were able to pull out victories but that was again, not enough. The Red Raider tennis team lost that match by the score of 5-2.

The Raiders were the road on May 1 to face Central Square. Shear and Bennett got a win together at first doubles. However, that was the only win the raiders were able to get. The Raiders lost the match by a score of 6-1.

The Raiders were on the road yet again to face their rival, the Oswego Buccaneers. Shear and Bennett split back up to play first and second singles. They both were able to win their matches but those two wins were not enough. The Raiders lost that match 5-2.

The next match is Friday, May 3 as the Raiders travel to Cortland. That match is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.

Bennett stated, “I am happy with how I am doing personally, but our team needs to find a way to win. Our team is very young so it is only a matter of time.”

Barry stated, “It will be our time to win a match very soon. We are all working hard in practice and our matches.”

Thompson noted, “I wish my personal record was a little bit better, but everyone wishes that.”

The Raiders are currently 0-7. They will continue to try to figure out the recipe for team success this season.