Bulldogs battle 5A Timberwolves to 6-6 tie

COEUR d’ALENE — Bulldog head coach Kent Anderson juggled his lineup substantially, and when the dust had settled, his team earned a 6-6 tie in a tennis match Wednesday afternoon at Lake City High School.

Laney Search won in straight sets at No. 1 singles, and her usual doubles partner Khloe Kyllonen won the final match of the day to earn her team the tie with a 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 three set marathon at No. 2 singles.

“Khloe’s mental toughness and solid ground game was the difference,” described Anderson. “Both Khloe and Laney logged a lot of good hits today as they prepare to return to doubles and defend their district title in a couple weeks.”

Juan Dorado and Koen Connor teamed up for a solid 8-5 win at No. 1 boys doubles, their first time playing in that spot.

“They are both so athletic,” claimed Anderson. “When the jitters wore off after the first four games, they just ripped through their opponents covering every corner of the court.”

The Bulldogs also tried a pair of new mixed doubles teams in Patrick Rockwell and Liz Parsley at No. 1, and Declan Plummer and Jenny Slaveck at No. 2, with the two teams dropping just three games in a sweep.

Anderson said he’s really proud of how his team has handled a tough season.

“The kids have been challenged this season with the terrible weather, night practices in the gym and multiple season-ending injuries, yet they continue to persevere and battle every point,” praised Anderson, whose No. 2 doubles team had to forfeit with an injury. “Today they battled a very strong Lake City team to a tie even though we had to give up a point with a freak injury. It was a good day of tennis against a very strong team.”

Sandpoint makes its home debut today against 4A IEL rival Lakeland, starting at 3 p.m. at Travers Park.

LAKE CITY 6, SANDPOINT 6

GIRLS SINGLES — No. 1, Laney Search, Spt, d. Sydney Jackson, 6-4, 6-1. No. 2, Khloe Kyllonen, Spt, d. Elisa James, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1. No. 3, Schreyer Jones, LC, d. Tessa Beeman 6-3, 6-1.

GIRLS DOUBLES — No. 1, Bryce Martin/Arielle Myers, LC, d. Allura Livingston/Alana Seifert, 8-6. No. 2, April Clark/Amy Clark, Spt, d. Ashleigh Gervais/Madison Morris, 8-5.

BOYS SINGLES — No. 1, Chris Vargas, LC, d. Jacob Jackson, Spt, 6-1, 6-1. No. 2, Jack DuCoeur, 6-1, 6-0. No. 3, Clayton Hill, LC, d. Shane Curtis, 6-3, 6-1.

BOYS DOUBLES — No. 1, Juan Dorado/Koen Connor, Spt, d. Gunnar Stauning/Josh Weadick, 8-5. No. 2, Nick Brown Hudson Brandt, LC, by injury default.

MIXED DOUBLES — No. 1, Patrick Rockwell/Liz Parsley, Spt, d. Gabe Gates/Tessa Widmeyer, 8-1. No. 2, Declan Plummer/Jenny Slaveck, Spt, d. Paul Wineinger/Bre Torres, 8-2.