Local doubles team making noise at state

BOISE — Mikka Nostdahl and Dustin Pierce dropped only two games in decisive straight set wins over opponents from Pocatello and Jerome, leading Sandpoint on the first day of the 4A state tennis tournament in Boise.

“They’re playing out of their minds,” said Sandpoint coach Kent Anderson, noting they faced solid opponents. “Other coaches are coming up and saying ‘wow, this is the team to beat.’ They’re really playing together as a team perfectly.”

Piper Wahlin and Abby Helander were equally impressive in girls doubles, cruising to straight set wins over their Wood River and Blackfoot opponents, while dropping just four games.

Both teams are in the semis this morning, and both have a legitimate shot to win it all.

Kevin Kirby beat his Jerome opponent 6-3, 7-6 (7-0) in the first round in boys singles, before losing by the same exact score to Wood River. He bounced back to win his first consolation match 6-2, 6-2 over Jerome, and remains alive in consolation today.

Ben Hardy lost 6-7, 6-2, 7-5 in the first round to his Blackfoot opponent, then was eliminated by Jerome with another tough three-set loss, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.

Rob Carne and Jackson Bussard notched a 6-1, 2-6, 6-2 first round win over Bonneville, then were eliminated with straight set losses to teams from Skyview. The Sandpoint boys are in 4th place after day one, while the girls are in 9th.

The finals are scheduled for 2 p.m. today

n Macumber, Gustafson in semis of 3A girls doubles

BOISE — Clark Fork’s Shaina Gustafson and Chelsea Macumber scored a 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win over Weiser on Friday, and with a first round bye, the No. 2 seeds advanced into today’s semifinals at the 3A tennis state championships in Boise.

Steffen Kirchgeorg won in straight sets over Parma in the first round of boys singles, before falling to Karl Wilander in straight sets in the second round. If the name sounds familiar, Karl’s father Mats was a top level pro for years.

Kirchgeorg bounced back to beat Coeur d’Alene Charter in straight sets and remain alive in consolation. Kandice Daniels lost to Fruitland and Coeur d’Alene Charter in girls singles and was eliminated.

Stillman Berkley and Claire McMahon beat Homedale 6-3, 7-5 in the first round of mixed doubles, then lost in straight sets to the No. 1 seeds from Parma, before beating Gooding 6-0, 6-1 to remain alive in consolation.

Celeste Komanec and Nate Nesbitt lost both of their mixed doubles matches and were eliminated, wrapping up the Wampus Cat results from the first day.