Clark Fork duo advance to state tennis finals

CALDWELL - Clark Fork's Mike Martin and Thomas McMahon are exactly where they want to be after the first day of the 3A state tennis tournament Friday at Vallivue High School, exacting some revenge on an old nemesis and advancing to the finals of the boys doubles bracket.

They lost only one game in downing Fruitland in the first round, then played the same Community School opponents that knocked them out of last year's state tournament in a three-set marathon, rolling to a 6-3, 6-3 win.

“They did a grand job of breaking them down,” said Cats coach Mary Jo Lambert, acknowledging the improvement of her team from last year. “They were aggressive rushing the net and not hesitating.”

They'll play a team from Sugar Salem in today's final, looking to grab the much-coveted state title they've been questing for since last year.

“My prediction is a three-set, knock down drag out match,” said Lambert of today's boys final.

While the boys doubles wins were half expected, Chelsea Macumber and Shaina Gustafson surprised some people and advanced into the semi-final round today. They received a first round bye, then beat Weiser 6-1, 6-4. Lambert says the sophomores have a good chance for one simple reason.

“They're both athletes, and you can do a lot with athletes,” said Lambert. “They didn't get rattled today. Knock on wood, I think they have a chance at this thing.”

Brittny Yates and Amy Gannon lost to Fruitland and then Community School, eliminating them from the tournament and rounding out the Cats' first day of action.

BOYS DOUBLES - Mike Martin/Thomas McMahon, CF, d. Hensley/Newman, Fruitland, 6-0, 6-1. Martin/McMahon, CF, d. Atkinson/Flannigan, Community School, 6-3, 6-3.

GIRLS DOUBLES - Chelsea Macumber/Shaina Gustafson, CF, d. Lancaster/Hopkins, Weiser, 6-1, 6-4. Gibson/Dalley, Fruitland, d. Brittny Yates/Amy Gannon, CF, 6-1, 6-1. Meine/Ngyuen, Fruitland, d. Yates/Gannon, CF, 6-0, 6-0.