Tennis team hungry for trophy

SANDPOINT — A state trophy — awarded to the top four teams — is the goal for the Sandpoint tennis team as they compete in the 4A state tennis tournament Friday and Saturday at Vallivue High School in Caldwell.

Sandpoint is taking two mixed doubles teams, a boys and girls doubles team, and a boys and girls singles player, enough players to place if enough can win matches — no easy task at state.

"We'd love to place down there, these kids have the capability to do it," said coach Jane Rockwell. "The biggest weakness at districts was so much on the line. At state they can let their true capabilities out."

Piper Wahlin and Adam Durfee are seeded No. 2 in the mixed doubles draw, the highest seed of any player. Rockwell believes they have a chance to go a long way. Dustin Pierce and Jessie Novak are also competing in the mixed doubles.

Abby Helander will compete in girls singles, and Wyatt Pearson in boys singles. Rockwell believes Helander's serve and volley game, coupled with her competitive nature, is strong enough to garner her a top-five finish.

"Even down there (at state), not a lot of kids serve and volley," said Rockwell. "She's got one up with that."

Justin Vaughn and Ryan Williams will play boys doubles, and Victoria Johnson and Jess Lindenberg will team up for girls doubles. Rockwell believes their best chance at success lies in getting up to the net and not staying in the back court.

"At state, the teams that get to the net have the best success," she said of the doubles strategy. "The sooner they figure that out, the better."

The tournament is true double elimination, and the action will run all day Friday and Saturday.