Bulldog tennis team aiming high

SANDPOINT — New Sandpoint tennis coach Kent Anderson is setting the bar high in high in 2009, showing great confidence in a deep and athletic team by citing a lofty goal.

“My goal is to win state in 4A,” says Anderson, who takes over the program from longtime successful coach Jane Rockwell. “If there’s ever a time, this is the year.”

Anderson coached the Sandpoint Middle School team last season, and is familiar with most of the Bulldog varsity players. He’s also no stranger to tennis, having played at the University of Montana before becoming an assistant coach in Minnesota for many years. He brings a wealth of experience from decades of USTA tennis, and hopes to bring some strategies that can help his players win.

Leading the boys team will be a quartet of strong players in senior Ben Hardy, juniors Dustin Pierce and Mikka Nostdahl, and freshman Kevin Kirby. Hardy is home schooled and is playing his first year at Sandpoint, boasting what Anderson calls a “huge serve.”

Pierce and Nostdahl were the top two single players last year, and return with a few more tournaments under their belt. Anderson calls both great athletes, first and foremost.

“Dustin has fundamentally sound strokes and knows the game,” Anderson says. “Mikka is right there with Dustin. He works hard, and is very fast.”

Despite his youth, freshman Kevin Kirby is right in the mix in the battle for the top of the team ladder. Jackson Bussard and Steve Gavin will start the year at No. 1 doubles, and Mike Berg, Rob Carne, Andy Meyer and Mike Malone will help round out the varsity.

Senior Abby Helander and junior Piper Wahlin will lead the girls team, as both return with state tennis experience. The same traits that make them standout volleyball players on the best team in the state will also serve them well on the tennis courts.

“They’re top athletes in the school,” says Anderson, who may ultimately pair the two in doubles for a run at a state title. “They just know how to win.”

Sophia Meulenberg, Susan Williams, Justine Clawson and Meranda Carter bring quality depth to the girls team. Jesse Cobb, Roxanne Imeson, Kyenna Jensen and Crystal Clark will each be vying for varsity spots.

Former Sandpoint state champion Jordan Wahlin is assisting Anderson this year on varsity, which should be a nice asset. More than 60 players turned out this year, resulting in a sizable junior varsity.

Sandpoint is at Moscow today.