EPHRATA - It was a cold windy day for the start of the 2012 tennis season. But the Lady Tigers didn't let the conditions throw them off their game as they defeated Ellensburg 3-2 at home Saturday.

The Bulldogs jumped out front with wins in the first two singles matches as Nathalie Gruber defeated Naomi Kooistra  in three sets 7-6, 2-7, 6-2 and Aubrey Denley lost to Mary Kelleher in two sets 6-2, 6-2.

But the Tigers came roaring back to take all three doubles matches to pull out the win. The team of Tiana Schmitz and Tessa Ratigan defeated Gese Gruber and Victoria Volkirch in three sets 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in match one. Kim Beck and Allison Pheasant turned back Jennifer Jackson and Taylor Willis in three sets 6-3, 6-7, (6-8), 6-4 in the second match, and Yesenia Rodriguez and Demi Brekhus beat the team of Annalise Clark and Rachele Baker 6-4, 6-2.

"It was good to see Tiana and Tessa make some necessary adjustments throughout their match, which lasted right at two hours," coach Missy Beierman said. "Our doubles teams played solid matches. Naomi had many long rallies with her opponent, but with a little more consistency, she should be able to be very successful this year."

Ellensburg 5

Ephrata 0

The Tiger boys team didn't fair as well as the girls as they were shutout in their first match of the season.

Ephrata's No. 1 singles player Michael Bosnar lost to Tim Hurson in two sets 4-6, 5-7. The Tigers No. 2 singles Jordan Brzezny lost to Coleman Schnebly in three sets 3-6, 6-1, 3-6. The No. 1 doubles team of Calvin Callahan and Mauricio were beaten by Aaron Greear and Nick Gigstead in two sets 7-5, 6-3. Cullen Clark and Erik Hurson defeated Ephrata's No. 2 doubles team of Matt Jones and Stenn Monson in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, and the Tigers No. 3 doubles Dakota Teterud and Connor Maddalozzo lost to Ben Jewett and Tim Miller in three sets 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

"Michael had a great season opening match against Hurson (a kid he upset last year in the district tournament). But I think he learned a lot in his loss which will benefit him down the road," Beierman said. "Losing three three-setters is tough, so will need to find a way to finish off the close matches."

The boys will get another chance to rack up a win, and the girls to extend their streak to two in a row, when Ephrata hosts Cascade High School in a non-league match Thursday at 4 p.m.