The Cashmere Bulldogs tennis squad had four entries in action on the opening day of the 1A State Tennis Tournament at the Yakima Tennis Club on Friday, with sophomore Albin Eskew and the girls doubles team of Lucy Ray and Hazel Schade still alive heading into Saturday’s final day of competition.

Eskew, who earned a first-round bye after capturing the District 5 singles championship last weekend, opened his state tournament run with an impressive quarterfinal victory over Chelan’s Angel Mendez. The Bulldog sophomore controlled the match from the start and cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 victory to advance to the state semifinals.

In the semifinals, Eskew faced a difficult challenge against Carter Woo of Eastside Prep. Woo proved too strong on Friday afternoon as he defeated Eskew 6-0, 6-0. Eskew remains in contention for a state trophy and will continue play Saturday against Alec Pla of Charles Wright. A win would move Eskew into the third-place match later in the day.

Cashmere’s girls doubles team of seniors Lucy Ray and Hazel Schade also received a first-round bye after winning the District 5 championship. Ray and Schade opened state play against Overlake’s Komatsu and Prisecura, falling by scores of 6-3 and 6-2.

The Bulldog seniors bounced back later in the day in a loser-out match, dominating Romero and Clark with a convincing 6-0, 6-1 victory to keep their season alive. Ray and Schade will now face Happe and Singh from Eastside Prep on Saturday with a chance to advance into the third/fourth-place match.

Senior Freya Dronen saw her outstanding Bulldog career come to an end on Friday in girls singles competition. Dronen battled through a tightly contested opening set against Emma Owens of Stevenson before falling by scores of 6-7, 6-3 and 2-6.

In boys doubles action, Cashmere seniors Wyatt Nelson and Quentin Christensen were eliminated in their opening loser-out match. The Bulldog duo fell to Ter Mulen and Lou from Overlake by scores of 3-6 and 2-6.