Bulldogs, Wampus Cats advance at state tennis tournament
BOISE — The Sandpoint tennis team lost a handful of tough three-set matches on Friday at the 4A state tennis tournament at the Boise Racket and Swim Club, leading to a 10th place finish among 23 teams.
The Bulldogs went a tough 0-6 in matches that went to three sets, and only brothers Micah and Drew Buckmiller were able to survive a fast and furious first day of action.
The Buckmillers lost 5-7, 6-0, 6-4 to Hillcrest in the first round, then downed Twin Falls 6-4, 6-2 to set up a showdown with teammates Alex Hon and Talbot Callister, who won by default in the first round before falling 4-6, 6-0, 6-4 to Nampa.
The Buckmillers outlasted their teammates 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 in a match that easily could have gone either, culminating with an 11-9 third set tiebreaker.
“There was no difference, it was dead even and they know exactly how each other plays,” said Anderson of the match. “It was who was going to make the first mistake that would end the match.”
Kevin Kirby downed Minico 6-0, 6-0 in the first round of boys singles, then lost 3-6, 6-4, 7-5 to Caldwell and 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to Madison in two down-to-the-wire losses.
“Both matches he put everything out there on the court,” said Anderson, noting Kirby’s arm and legs were cramping. “It was pretty emotional watching how he played. Spectacular end to his career even though he lost.”
Kane Wijngaarden lost 6-4, 6-2 to Hillcrest in the first round of boys singles, bounced back to beat Caldwell 6-4, 6-1 in consolation before being knocked out of the tournament with a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Hillcrest.
In girls singles, Kennedy Search lost 6-1, 6-1 to Blackfoot and 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 to Caldwell, while teammate Michele Rockwell lost 6-2, 6-0 to Bishop Kelly and 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 to Minico to end their tournaments.
Courtney Windju and Megan Rockwell notched a 6-1, 6-3 win over Mountain Home in the first round of girls doubles, then fell 6-1, 6-2 to Wood River and 6-2, 6-1 to Madison.
Nicolette Jessen and Carson Nygren were sharp in a 6-3, 6-1 win over Century in the first round of mixed doubles, then lost 6-3, 6-3 to Madison and 6-1, 6-3 to Century to end their tournament.
“I look at these kids and how hard they work and I’m really proud of every one of them,” said Anderson. “It’s an emotional roller coaster down here.”
The Buckmillers face Blackfoot today in the consolation bracket.
• McMahon, Thornton gunning for third place at state
MIDDLETON — Seniors Brocklynn Thornton and Claire McMahon lost 6-2, 6-2 to Fruitland, then beat teammates Heather Wold and Lyndsie Kiebert 6-0, 6-2 in the consolation round to remain alive after the first day of the 3A state tennis tournament in Middleton on Friday.
“They were at duece almost every single game,” said Clark Fork head coach Mary Jo Lambert of the Clark Fork match up, noting Brocklynn and Claire have a shot to contend for a 3rd/4th place finish today. “They have a good chance if they serve well. It’s there, they just need to sustain it.”
Wold and Kiebert lost 6-3, 7-5 to Weiser before having to face their teammates in an elimination match.
Stillman Berkley and Tristin Bristol beat Weiser 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 in the opener, then fell 6-1, 6-1 to Parma and 6-3, 6-3 to Weiser to end their tournament.
“Tristin played the best tennis of his life,” said Lambert. “The wind was just howling all day. It was tough.”
Allen Blankenship and Tala Fehsel lost 6-0, 6-4 to Fruitland and 6-0, 6-1 to Community School to end their tournament.
The Clark Fork girls are in 6th place out of 14 teams after day one, and the boys are in 8th place.