Scrimsher leads Bulldogs in tennis season opener

LEWISTON — Senior Bailey Scrimsher notched a 7-5, 6-4 straight set win at No. 2 girls singles to lead Sandpoint, which fell 9-3 to 5A Lewiston in season-opening tennis action Tuesday at Lewiston High School.

“Bailey played a great match, she was extremely consistent and never gave up on any points,” said Bulldogs head coach Kent Anderson, who said it felt like a  pre-season match. “Finding our identity is more important than winning or losing this early in the season.”

Varsity newcomers Michael Durfee and Broc Storro won 1-6, 7-6, 6-2 at No. 2 boys doubles and Lorenzo DeBernardi and Nicolette Jessen won 6-4, 6-3 to round out the Bulldog wins.

“Nicolette continued her winning ways with consistent strokes,” described Anderson. “Lorenzo was a great complement, using his speed and power to dominate the opponents.”

Micah Buckmiller, Alex Hon and Daniel Durfee each lost in straight sets in boys singles, and Carson Nygren and Collin Jurenka lost in straight sets at No. 1 doubles to wrap up the boys action. Spencer Temple and Cassidy Story lost in straight sets at No. 2 mixed doubles.

Kennedy Search lost 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 at No. 1 girls singles, and Bryttany Beason lost in straight sets at No. 3 singles for the Bulldogs.

Both girls doubles matches were close enough to go either way, a promising sign for the future as the Bengals are able to get out earlier in the season. Katie Mares and Megan Rockwell lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 at No. 1 doubles, while Sadie Nitcy and Emily Chatburn fell 6-4, 7-6 at No. 2 doubles.

“We have seven weeks to ramp it up for districts,” said Anderson. “It was great watching so many newcomers to varsity battling one of the top 5A schools around.”

Sandpoint is at Moscow on March 23 in the first look at their chief 4A rival.