Bulldog girls win Regional tennis title

MOSCOW — Seniors Laney Search and Khloe Kyllonen handled their business to win 6-1, 6-1 over Moscow in the finals of No. 1 girls singles on Saturday at the 4A Region 1 Tennis Championships in Moscow, helping lead the Bulldog girls to the district title.

The pair were two of eight Bulldog tennis players to earn a spot at state next weekend in Boise, where they will be legit contenders for a run at a state title.

“It was no contest as these two just methodically dismantled everyone they faced,” said Bulldog head coach Kent Anderson of his top girls doubles team. “Serves, overheads, ground strokes and volleys. They were the class of the tournament.”

Sophomore Allura Livingston was the only other Bulldog to win a title, notching a hard-fought 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 win in the girls singles final. After a rough first set, she settled in and played some of her most gritty tennis of the season.

“Allura kicked her game into a gear that no one has seen from her before,” described Anderson. “She was flying around the court hitting with pace and accuracy, refusing to lose. Her performance had the large Moscow crowd somewhat stunned.”

Juan Dorado lost in the finals of boys singles, but bounced back to win the consolation championship and punch his ticket to state. Freshman Jenny Slaveck beat teammate Alana Seifert 6-2, 6-4 in the consolation semis, before losing to finish third and round out the Bulldogs singles action.

Patrick Rockwell and Jacob Jackson lost in straight sets in the boys doubles final to Moscow, before bouncing back to trounce their Lakeland opponents in the consolation finals and earn a spot at state. April and Amy Clark lost in the girls doubles consolation to end their season.

Koen Connor and Liz Parsley earned spots at state at No. 1 mixed doubles after winning in consolation, and the pair offer a nice complement of skills on the court.

“When Liz wasn’t intimidating the opponents with her power, Koen was all over the court saving points and ripping groundies of his own,” said Anderson, calling it a great tournament. “Sandpoint qualified eight strong players who can make some noise at state.”

The 4A state tennis tournament is on Friday and Saturday in Boise.

Pair of Wampus Cats off to state tennis

LEWISTON — Jensen Heisel and Grace Shelton teamed up to advance to the semis of the District 1-2, 1A-3A tennis championships on Saturday in Lewiston, with the top four from each bracket advancing to state next weekend.

The pair lost 6-3, 6-4 to Grangeville in the semis of the main draw, then bounced back to beat Clearwater Valley in the consolation semis, before falling 6-4, 6-1 to another Grangeville team to finish fourth.

Lily Simko went 2-2 in the tournament in girls singles, Sarah Holderman went 1-2 and Ellie Lambert 0-2 in the 16 player singles draw to round out of the action for Clark Fork.