Strong doubles play leads Cats

LEWISTON - Clark Fork's Mike Martin and Thomas McMahon received two byes, then dispatched their Deary opponents 6-0, 6-0 to highlight the first day's action at the 2A/1A District 1 and 2 tennis championships Friday in Lewiston.

Joining Martin and McMahon in the finals today are Shaina Gustafson and Chelsea Macumber, who lost only two games in straight set wins against Deary and Clearwater Valley in girls doubles. Both teams will face Grangeville in the championships.

Brittny Yates and Amy Gannon teamed up to beat Clearwater Valley 6-1, 7-5, then beat Deary 6-4, 6-1, before falling in three sets to Grangeville 1-6, 6-4, 6-4. They're alive in the girls doubles consolation and will play for a berth at state today.

Tuyen Hoang and Kandice Daniels are also alive in consolation today after beating Grangeville 6-3, 6-1, then losing to Clearwater Valley 6-1, 6-3. In the consolation round they had to play teammates Jacob Barber and Olivia Reed, who had lost 6-1, 6-3 to Coeur d'Alene Charter earlier in the day. Daniels and Hoang knocked their teammates out of the bracket with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 win.

“Mixed doubles had to play each other and they both played their best tennis ever,” said Cats coach Mary Jo Lambert. “Overall it was a pretty good day.”

Hanna Hurt lost to Grangeville 6-3, 6-3 in girls singles, then was eliminated 6-4, 6-3 by Clearwater.