SHS tennis team is a North Idaho powerhouse
Pictured left to right are Michele Rockwell, Steven Gavin, Micah Buckmiller, Mica Wolcott, Susan Williams, Kane Wijngaarden, Darby Pierce, Kevin Kirby and Drew Buckmiller. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)
SANDPOINT — Boasting more depth than ever before, and featuring a number of upper echelon players capable of winning matches at state, the Bulldog tennis team has set its sights on an undefeated team season and making some serious noise at the state tournament.
Third-year coach Kent Anderson says his top nine players on both the boys and girls teams are legitimate players, and believes they have the potential to not only win all of their dual meets, but qualify even more players than last year, when the Bulldogs took 12 players down to score at state.
“It’s a joy to be able to have that kind of depth,” says Anderson, who played tennis at the University of Montana in the 1970s. “We’re better this season than last year, and certainly have the potential to sweep everyone.”
Leading the boys team will be junior No. 1 singles player Kevin Kirby, who won districts last season and has established himself on the radar of area college coaches. Anderson believes he can advance two or three rounds in the main draw at state, a rare accomplishment for North Idaho players in Boise, a hotbed for tennis.
Behind Kirby on the depth chart are a trio of rock-solid players in Kane Wijngaarden and brothers Micah and Drew Buckmiller, all three of whom have been playing year-around.
“Kane has shown a meteoric rise in talent, and has only been playing for one year,” describes Anderson of his No. 2 player. “The top four guys are all accomplished players and can make some noise at state.”
Senior 6-foot-8 captain Steven Gavin has made huge strides as a player, using his height to develop a potent power serve and to become a force at the net in doubles. Carson Nygren, Gerhart Suppiger, Kevin Bucalo and Jacob Carothers round out a very tall boys varsity team.
Leading the girls will be two players with contrasting styles in senior captain Sophia Meulenberg and freshman newcomer Darby Pierce. The two figure to battle it out all season for the No. 1 singles spot.
“Sophie is amazingly consistent, while Darby is a power player,” says Anderson. “When Darby is hot, she can be unbeatable, but she needs to get Sophie’s consistency.”
Also in the mix is Susan Williams, whom Anderson describes as an animal at the net and his most aggressive girl, and Mica Wolcott, who returns with plenty of doubles experience. Rounding out the girls varsity will be Michele Rockwell, Kennedy Search, Nicollette Jessen, Courtney Windju and Amanda Hayes.
The ample depth means the Bulldogs will have a solid lineup top to bottom, making them a tough head-to-head match-up and giving Anderson options when it comes to different combinations to get the most players qualified for state.
The Bulldogs open the season at Libby today.