Bulldogs fall to Bears in 4A IEL road tennis dual

MOSCOW — Round one went to the rival Bears, but once the Bulldog tennis team finally gets some court time in the coming weeks the next matchup figures to be much tighter.

Laney Search and Chloe Kyllonen continued their two-year undefeated league record by dispatching Moscow 6-0, 7-5 at No. 1 girls doubles, but the Bears showed some strong depth by winning the 4A IEL dual 8-4 on Thursday night in Moscow.

“They are so much fun to watch,” said Bulldog head coach Kent Anderson of his doubles powerhouse. “They have the skill level to perfectly execute classic doubles strategy.”

Anderson said the match of the day belonged to Patrick Rockwell at No. 2 singles, showing some grit despite losing a tough 10-8 third set super tie-breaker.

“After losing the first set 6-4 and down 5-1 in the second, Patrick changed his strategy to a serve and volley attacking style and came back to win the set 7-6,” described Anderson. “It was an awe-inspiring three hour war.”

Allura Livingston used speed and great anticipation in a straight-set win at No. 1 singles, the lone Bulldog singles player to win on the day.

Tessa Beeman and Juan Dorado fell behind 4-1 in the first set at No. 1 mixed doubles, before settling in and rallying for a 6-4, 6-3 win.

Noah Hastings and Decco Plummer picked up the final win at No. 2 boys doubles.

“These guys have a huge upside,” said Anderson, whose team has only practiced outdoors four times so far. “All we need is some outdoor court time to hone their games.”

The Bulldogs will be in action over spring break, traveling to face Mead on Thursday.

MOSCOW 8, SANDPOINT 4

GIRLS SINGLES — No. 1, Allura Livingston, Spt, d. Moscow, 6-2, 6-2. No. 2, Moscow d. Liz Parsley, 6-3, 6-2. No. 3, Moscow d. Olivia Ramirez, 6-1, 6-1.

GIRLS DOUBLES — No. 1, Laney Search/Khloe Kyllonen, Spt, d. Moscow, 6-0, 7-5. No. 2, Moscow d. Amy Clark/April Clark, 7-5, 6-0.

BOYS SINGLES — No. 1, Moscow, d. Jacob Jackson, 6-2, 6-3. No. 2, Moscow d. Patrick Rockwell, 6-4, 6-7, 10-8. No. 3, Moscow d. Andre Kemmink, 6-0, 6-1.

BOYS DOUBLES — No. 1, Moscow d. Reilly Wolfe/Koen Connor, 6-4, 6-3. No. 2, Decco Plummer/Noah Hastings, Spt, d. 6-1, 6-2.

MIXED DOUBLES — No. 1, Juan Dorado/Tessa Beeman, Spt, d. Moscow, 6-4, 6-3. No. 2, Moscow d. Shane Curtis/Hadley Goodvin, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4.