The Durango High School boys tennis team started its season strong Friday and Saturday in Grand Junction.

The Demons beat Grand Junction Central, 5-2, in their first match. Then, on the strength of their doubles teams, beat Smoky Hill 4-3.

Durango fell to perennial power Regis Jesuit, which flew to the tournament because Interstate 70 was closed, 7-0. But Regis beat every team it played 7-0.

On Saturday, DHS was on its way to scoring a third team win against Steamboat Springs, leading in five of the games, but then the contest was rained out, resulting in a draw.

“It was such a great start to the season,” said DHS head coach Todd Jolley. “All across the board we had wins. Everybody played great and nobody got bageled.”

Against Central, Durango won at No. 2 and No. 3 singles and also at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4 doubles.

Against Smoky Hill, Durango won all four of the doubles matches to win the dual.

Even though Durango lost to Regis 7-0, the coach said team played “really well” and it will help them in the long run.

“That was the best experience that we got,” Jolley said. “I told them to walk on the courts like they’re the favorites.”

Durango will return to action this weekend in Colorado Springs, playing mostly Class 5A teams.

“It will be tough competition, but a good experience for us,” Jolley said. “When we compete against tough teams, it makes us better.”