Bulldogs double up at district tennis tournament

RATHDRUM — The Bulldogs qualified 12 out of a possible 16 players to state, as both the boys and girls teams claimed district championships on Saturday during the 4A Region 1 tennis tournament at Lakeland High School.

It was Sandpoint vs. Sandpoint in both the boys and girls doubles finals, and at one point during the championship round, the Bulldogs were playing on four of the five courts.

“It was a sea of red out there and the tennis was phenomenal,” described Bulldogs head coach Kent Anderson, who has built one of the top programs in North Idaho, regardless of classification.

Juniors Laney Search and Khloe Kyllonen, who finished fifth at state last season, won in straight sets over teammates Violet Plummer and Caroline Suppiger in girls doubles. Search, a starter on the volleyball team, ended many of the windy points with smashing overheads.

“This was a match of controlled aggression and penetrating volleys,” claimed Anderson, who rightfully didn’t coach a lick in the all-Bulldog doubles finals. “Khloe’s deep cross-court ground strokes continually set up Laney’s lethal overheads, which really proved the difference.”

Patrick Rockwell and Matthew Curtiss won the boys doubles, winning a three-set slugfest over teammates Jake Aguirre and Reilly Wolfe. Once again, Anderson merely took in the action, letting the players battle on their own in one of the most tightly contested matches of the tourney.

“These two teams have played each other often and they held nothing back. Huge serves, powerful forehands, stinging volleys and incredible speed. These four are so athletic and quick,” praised Anderson. “Following the match, the boys hugged at mid-court which actually brought tears to the eyes of several of the spectators.”

Despite losing a tough three set marathon in the mixed doubles final to Moscow, Michael Favor and Liz Parsley showed that they’ve got the chops to make some noise at state.

“They played at a high level again today, but just didn’t have enough gas in the tank to take the third set,” said Anderson. “Liz’s quick hands at the net kept them in so many points. Michael used his back court speed to run down and win so many points that Moscow thought were already over.”

The 4A state tennis tournament kicks off on Friday, at the Boise Racket and Swim Club.