Strong doubles to drive Wampus Cat tennis team
<p>The 2012 Clark Fork tennis team, pictured back row, left to right: Tala Fehsel, Stillman Berkley, Brocklynn Thornton and Claire McMahon. Middle row: Shaydell Stamper, Geoff Boudousquie, Lyndsie Kiebert and Jon May. Front row: Autumn Wagoner, Heather Wold, Samantha Myers and Annie Wurm. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
CLARK FORK — A trio of senior three sport athletes will look to end their high school careers in style, leading the Clark Fork tennis team as it once again looks to punch as many tickets as possible to the state tournament.
Brocklynn Thornton and Claire McMahon will team up at No. 1 girls doubles, as the pair boasts plenty of varsity and state experience in volleyball, basketball and tennis.
Wampus Cats head coach Mary Jo Lambert, who drills a team of 14 players on just one court, thinks the pair of senior girls have a chance for a stellar season.
“If they stay aggressive, they can do very well at state,” said Lambert. “They’re really hitting the ball well, and I’m excited.”
Senior Tala Fehsel will play No. 1 singles for the girls team, as her consistent strokes and smart play should help her vie for a state berth. Junior Heather Wold and sophomore Lyndsie Kiebert will team up at No. 2 doubles, while sophomores Autumn Wagoner and Annie Wurm will most likely play in mixed doubles.
Leading the boys team will be senior Stillman Berkley, who lost only two matches last year while teaming with then senior Nate Nesbitt. Berkley will most likely partner up with either Tristin Bristol or Allen Blankenship in boys doubles, providing the best chance to qualify for state.
Lambert called Berkley the team’s best all-around player and a pleasure to coach.
“He’s quick, and he has a good head for the game,” said Lambert, noting Berkley’s only two losses last year came against Parma at state. “Plus, he really likes the game.”
Jon May and Geoff Boudousquie round out the boys team.
Lambert hopes to take both girls doubles teams, a boys doubles team, a mixed doubles team and a girls singles to state, if all goes well. Fortunately, her team is more than ready to put in the necessary work to make it happen.
“They’re working physically and mentally hard,” said Lambert, who has been drilling the team at Pend Oreille Shores while waiting for the first meet. “They’re a lot of fun to coach.”
The Wampus Cats open the season today at Coeur d’Alene Charter.