Led by the stellar play of its top three tennis players, the Los Banos Tiger girls tennis team started the season 4-0.

The girls won all three of their pre-season matches and then claimed their first Western Athletic Conference match against the Beyer Patriots.

The Tigers defeated Buhach Aug. 23, 8 to 1, and repeated that score two days later beating Dos Palos.

On Aug. 29 Los Banos shutout Golden Valley by the score of 9-0.The Tigers opened WAC play in Modesto on Aug. 31 and defeated a talented Beyer Patriot team by the score of 5-4 to record their fourth straight victory and first in the conference.

Longtime successful Tiger coach Lynn Barcellos praised the overall play of her team. Number one singles player Kloe Cotta, number two Melina Mejia and number three Sahar Ayuzeai have won all four of their individual matches.

Barcellos said after the Beyer match, ”We are a very talented team, having lost only two girls from last year’s team to graduation.”

Los Banos was to have hosted the Oakdale Mustangs on Sep. 1, but the match was canceled due to extreme heat.

Michael Martin