Search, Kyllonen pound way into semis at state

BOISE — Seniors Laney Search and Khloe Kyllonen, no strangers to the 4A state tennis tournament, handled their business like veterans on Friday, advancing into the semis of the main draw during day one of the state tourney in Boise.

The pair have the experience and firepower to win a state title, and the only thing standing between them is a pair of wins against what will most assuredly be tough competition.

If their first two matches were any indication, a 6-2, 6-1 dispatching of Wood River and a 6-1, 6-3 win against Skyview, they’re not intimidated in the least bit by the pressure of state.

“Khloe never missed a volley against Skyview,” said head coach Kent Anderson. “And Laney’s overheads were on fire.”

Patrick Rockwell and Jacob Jackson won their first match in boys doubles against Blackfoot, before losing a three set, 2.5 hour battle in the second round. That was nothing compared to their first match in consolation, where they defeated a second Blackfoot team 7-6, 4-6, 7-6 in 3.5 hours, coming up big in the tie-breakers to remain alive in consolation.

“In total they were on the court 8.5 hours,” described Anderson. “This was some of the best high school tennis I’ve ever seen.”

Liz Parsley and Koen Connor were eliminated in mixed doubles, and Allura Livingston and Juan Dorado were both eliminated in singles in the true double-elimination tournament.

Complete results were not available at press time.