Bulldog tennis team ready to rip in '13

SANDPOINT — Boasting plenty of firepower, returning state experience and depth, the 2013 edition of the Sandpoint tennis team will be looking to make some noise not just in the Inland Empire League, but at the state level, as well.

Leading the boys team will be a trio of big hitters in junior Micah Buckmiller, and seniors Carson Nygren and Alex Hon. The three will help anchor a boys team featuring a handful of players new to varsity.

Buckmiller, who played doubles with his older brother Drew the past two seasons at state, is currently the No. 1 player on the Bulldogs.

“He’s fast, has strong ground strokes and has been to state two times,” said Bulldogs head coach Kent Anderson, whose program has been among the top in North Idaho recently. “Everyone looks up to him because of his experience. The top few boys are strong, and the rest will develop off that strength.”

Hon, No. 2 on the tennis ladder, and Nygren, currently No. 3, both return with state experience in doubles, but could end up playing singles if it helps the team most. The two players teamed up to win the Inland Empire Classic doubles tournament last year, and hope to carry the momentum into their senior years.

“Alex is the hardest worker on the team, a court rat,” described Anderson. “Carson is an incredibly hard hitter. Last year he started controlling it, and it’s really fun to watch.”

Rounding out the boys varsity team will be juniors Collin Jurenka and Michael Durfee, sophomore Daniel Durfee, freshman Spencer Temple and exchange student Lorenzo DeBernardi, affectionately called the “Italian Stallion” by his teammates.

Anderson has this great dilemma atop his girls team: Who is No. 1? Junior Kennedy Search and senior captain Megan Rockwell, both standouts on the volleyball team, are currently vying for the No. 1 singles spot. Both are athletic, both have plenty of experience and both will anchor a girls team that is rock-solid from top to bottom.

“No. 1 is a war between Kennedy and Megan. All of the girls can hit, they can mix in the drills with the guys and there is no fall off,” said Anderson. “Kennedy is just a solid player, she’ll be tough to beat. Megan is another superb athlete, and very mentally tough.”

Senior Nicolette Jessen has been a standout at varsity mixed doubles in past years, including two trips to state, and brings a competitiveness and consistency to the court.

Anderson called juniors Katie Mares and Emily Chatburn very dedicated players, and the two will likely play doubles together this season. Junior Sadie Nitcy will also see some varsity time on the girls team.

The Bulldogs start the season on Tuesday at perennial Inland Empire League power Lewiston.