Bulldogs sweep singles, dispatch 5A Vikings
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) James Wolfe slices a volley during JV action on Tuesday at Travers Park. The JV tennis marked the first official spring sports action in Sandpoint this year. It took a while, but spring sports are finally here.
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Qamron Leonard serves to a Coeur d’Alene opponent on Tuesday.
COEUR d’ALENE — It was a dominating showing all six Bulldog singles players, each of whom won in straight sets to power Sandpoint past Coeur d’Alene in a tennis match Tuesday afternoon in Coeur d’Alene.
Jacob Jackson and Allura Livingston set the pace at No. 1 singles, losing only three games between them.
“Jacob dominated, blasting at least a dozen aces,” praised Bulldogs head coach Kent Anderson. “Allura’s speed, anticipation and court presence was the difference. She gets to every ball.”
Alana Seifert, Tessa Beeman, Patrick Rockwell and Koen Connor also picked up convincing wins, playing consistent and steady from the baseline.
The doubles action was much tighter, including a matchup of two of the top girls doubles teams in the state at No. 1 girls doubles. When the dust had settled, Laney Search and Khloe Kyllonen won 6-2, 6-3 in a matchup of state-caliber teams.
“It was Laney and Khloe’s court savvy and consistency versus their opponents big ground strokes and strong volleys,” described Anderson. “Once again consistency prevailed. I think it was the best volleys I’ve ever seen from Khloe, and Laney’s overheads were deadly.”
Juan Dorado and Liz Parsley teamed up to score a 9-7 third set tie-breaker win at No. 1 mixed doubles, and Decco Plummer and Noah Hastings overcame some early match jitters and rolled to a big three-set win at No. 2 doubles.
“We’re rusty from lack of quality practice time but fundamentally the team is strong,” claimed Anderson. “When they relax and play within themselves, they are tough to beat. This was a great win against a 5A school that has seven new courts on their campus.”
Sandpoint treks south to Coeur d’Alene again today, facing 5A Lake City.
SANDPOINT 9, COEUR d’ALENE 3
BOYS SINGLES — No. 1, Jacob Jackson, Spt, d. Wyatt Gibbar, 6-0, 6-1. No. 2, Patrick Rockwell, Spt, d. Rex Wad, 6-3, 6-0. No. 3, Koen Connor, Spt, d. Cole Schneider, 6-2, 6-1.
BOYS DOUBLES — No. 1, Bracket Curtis/Adam Preber, Cd’A, d. Reilly Wolfe/Charlie Crane, 6-1, 6-3. No. 2, Decco Plummer/Noah Hastings, Spt, d. Josh Whitney/Bayley Throm, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1.
GIRLS SINGLES — No. 1, Allura Livingston, Spt, d. Rachel Evans, 6-1, 6-1. No. 2, Alana Seifert, Spt, d. Haley Argo, 6-3, 6-1. No. 3, Tessa Beeman, Spt, d. Rachel Jeske, 6-2, 6-1.
GIRLS DOUBLES — No. 1, Laney Search/Khloe Kyllonen, Spt, d. Lauren Carlsen/Sarah Swider, 6-2, 6-3. No. 2, Hannah Johnson/Kayla Fagan, Cd’A, d. April Clark/Amy Clark, 6-0, 6-1.
MIXED DOUBLES — No. 1, Juan Dorado/Liz Parsley, Spt, d. Kim Gunnerson/Brock Tanya, 7-5, 7-6 (9-7). No. 2, Kiah Morton/Dylan Griff, Cd’A, d. Shane Curtis/Jenny Slaveck, 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-1).