SHS pair advance to tennis semifinals

CALDWELL — Dustin Pierce and Jessie Novak picked the perfect time to play their best tennis of the year, winning their first two matches Friday in mixed doubles and advancing into today's semifinals at the 4A state tennis championships at Vallivue High School.

"I'm not surprised with Jessie Novak, she shined last year at state and seems to rise to that level. She brings her game up a notch and doesn't seem to crumble to the pressure," said Sandpoint coach Jane Rockwell, echoing the same sentiment about the play of her freshman partner, Pierce. "Dustin has stepped it up a couple of notches too."

Sophomore Abby Helander smoked her first two opponents, increasing her power as she dropped only two games in straight set wins en route to the semifinals.

"She's on top of it, just playing solid tennis," said Rockwell of her No. 1 girls player. "She's hitting with more pace down here and nailing her serves."

Rockwell said both her mixed doubles team and Helander will have very tough matches today as the best players in the state make their way through the brackets. Overall Rockwell was pleased with how her team responded to the pressure cauldron that is state.

"It doesn't surprise me that the team is doing so well," she said. "You've made it here and a lot of the pressure is off, you can let it all out on the court."

Justin Vaughn and Ryan Williams lost their first match, before rallying for two wins to remain alive in the consolation bracket. Rockwell said the duo was on fire in their final two matches.

Jess Lindenberg and Victoria Johnson won one and lost two in girls doubles, including two three-set marathons, ending their season. Piper Wahlin and Adam Durfee won their first match, lost their second, and won their third to remain alive. Wyatt Pearson won one and lost two in boys singles to end his season.

The semifinals and consolation rounds start at 8 a.m. as the tournament wraps up today.

GIRLS SINGLES — First round: Abby Helander, Spt, d. Francesca Walker, Skyview, 6-0, 6-1. Second round: Helander d. Dorothy Lopez, Jerome, 6-0, 6-1.

BOYS SINGLES — First round: Dallin Peterson, Hillcrest, d. Wyatt Pearson, Spt, 6-3, 6-2. Consolation: Pearson d. Tom Chambers, Pocatello, 6-4, 6-0. Consolation: Tom Delahanty, Century, d. Pearson 6-3, 6-4.

GIRLS DOUBLES — First round: Anderson/Banner, Blackfoot, d. Victoria Johnson/Jess Lindenberg, Spt, 6-7 (7-5), 6-0, 6-3. Consolation: Lindenberg/Johnson d. Raass/Badaluta, Skyview, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Consolation: Gardner/Barrow, Wood River, d. Lindenberg/Johnson, 6-1, 6-1.

BOYS DOUBLES: First round: Whitt/Helvie, Bishop Kelly, d. Justin Vaughn/Ryan Williams, Spt, 7-6 (7-3), 6-0. Consolation: Vaughn/Williams d. Conley/Hubbard, Skyview, 6-3, 6-1. Consolation: Vaughn/Williams d. Gilbert/Theiman, Pocatello, 6-1, 7-5.

MIXED DOUBLES — First round: Dustin Pierce/Jessie Novak, Spt, d. Vandever/Sammarco, Burley, 6-3, 6-4. Piper Wahlin/Adam Durfee, Spt, d. Cleverly/Miller, Nampa, 6-1, 6-2. Second round: Pierce/Novak d. Jurgensmeier/Delis, Minico, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. Maples/Kenney, Century, d. Wahlin/Durfee, 6-0, 6-0. Consolation: Wahlin/Durfee d.