South Whidbey sent three players to the 1A tri-district boys tennis tournament, and all three were sent home without qualifying for the state tournament Tuesday.

Only junior Charley Stelling advanced in the winner’s bracket. In the first round, Stelling defeated Cascade Christian’s N. Pierce 6-2, 6-0.

After a quick win, Stelling faced a tougher match against Charles Wright Academy’s Griffin Welsch, who won the first set 6-2 and was poised for a quick win. Stelling varied his shots from baseline groundstrokes, dropping alternate topspin lobs, slices and drop shots to win the second set 6-4. Welsch, who advanced as the second-place singles player, outdueled Stelling in the third set, narrowly winning 6-4.

South Whidbey’s doubles team, senior Jack Hood and junior Jonathon Peterson, lost in straight sets in both matches. University Prep’s combo of Bayard Blair and Sam Thomsen cruised in a 6-2, 6-2 win over Hood and Peterson. Blair and Thomsen went on to win the top seed from the tournament.

In the consolation round, South Whidbey fell after a tough bout against Vashon Island’s Steen Jennings and Josh Tillman.

South Whidbey boys tennis ended without qualifying for the 1A state tournament for the third year in a row.