Doubles teams to drive Wampus Cats in 2011
Junior Claire McMahon will lead a Clark Fork tennis team that continues to hold its own against schools much larger in size. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)
CLARK FORK — Led by two top notch doubles teams that each won matches at state last year, the Clark Fork tennis team will look continue its tradition as arguably the top 1A tennis team in the state.
Senior Nate Nesbitt and junior Stillman Berkley return for a second straight year at No. 1 boys doubles, looking to improve upon a one-win state tournament performance last year. The three sport athletes get pushed hard by head coach Mary Jo Lambert, who thinks the pair can make some noise at state.
“We had a little heart-to-heart about what I expect of them,” said Lambert, lauding their athleticism on the court. “Working on fundamentals and playing a little more with their minds. Adjust, and find the weakness of their opponents.”
Joseph Cox, Tristin Bristol, Zach Nesbitt and Gaden Taylor round out a mostly young varsity boys team.
Leading a more experienced girls team is the No. 1 doubles tandem of juniors Brocklynn Thornton and Claire McMahon, who also won one doubles match at state last year. The pair’s skill set meshes well, with the lengthy Thornton providing an aggressive presence at the net to complement the steady left-handed ground strokes of McMahon.
“They’re kind of on a mission,” said Lambert, alluding to last year’s state doubles champs Chelsea Macumber and Shaina Gustafson. “They said ‘we want to fill Shaina and Chelsea’s shoes,’ and I said ‘go for it.’”
Junior Tala Fehsel and Heather Wold each return with varsity singles experience, and each has a solid chance of qualifying for state. Rounding out the girls squad will be Jazmin Gabrie, Lyndsie Kiebert and Sammi Meyers.
Lambert has become adept at drilling a team of 14 players on just one court, helping the Wampus Cats score a win over 2A Coeur d’Alene Charter in their first match of the season. She believes the fact that most of her squad plays three sports helps early in the season.
“Everybody looks better than the end of last season,” said Lambert. “They just stepped on the court and looked like they’ve been playing.”
The Wampus Cats are at Troy, Montana today.