Clark Fork solid in state tennis tourney

NAMPA — As expected, the rock solid tennis team from Clark Fork made some noise on a scorching first day of the 3A state tennis tournament on Friday.

Junior Rayna Allen, hungry for a state title, won both of her matches in straight sets and will play a girl from Fruitland this morning in the semi-finals.

"The heat was getting to her, she told herself 'I have to do this,'" said coach Lisa Allen. "This means a lot to her, at this point, she can do it, unless she becomes her own worst enemy."

The biggest surprise of the day was in boys doubles, where Bill Clayton and Thomas McMahon beat all three of their opponents from Gooding, Fruitland and Sugar Salem respectively, and find themselves in the finals, one solid match away from a state title.

"They really hustled and played smart," said Allen of the duo, who had all of the motivation they needed in the semis. "They lost the first set 6-1, and their opponents starting bragging that they were going to the finals; they came back and beat them."

Mike Martin had a solid day in boys singles, rebounding after dropping his first match to Weiser then winning consecutive matches against Post Falls Christian and Homedale.

Kailyn Wold and Martin Fuelleborn won two and lost one in mixed doubles, and are alive in the consolation round.

Tia Becker and Jessica Lee won their first match against Gooding, then lsot to Parma and Grangeville and were eliminated from the tournament.