Clark sisters win title at Post Falls tourney
(Courtesy photo) Senior twins April Clark, left, and sister Amy Clark teamed up to win the eight-team Post Falls Tournament on Saturday.
POST FALLS — For the first time ever, somebody other than Sandpoint won the championship at the Post Falls “Best of Nine” tournament on Saturday, as Moscow edged the Bulldogs in the third annual eight team tournament, with players competing in a best-of-nine set match in pool and bracketed play.
Sisters Amy and April Clark remained undefeated on the year by rolling to the title in girls doubles, finishing the 5-3 championship win over Coeur d’Alene with style in the final game.
“April proceeded to nail four first serves, three service winners and one ace to win the trophy,” described Bulldog head coach Kent Anderson. “It’s really fun coaching these two, but it’s their incredible work-ethic that is the earmark of their success. They never miss a practice or a match and they find the time to hit before and after practice on a regular basis.”
Allura Livingston was second in girls singles, falling to a strong Coeur d’Alene player in the finals after winning her first three matches without dropping a single game, including a hard fought victory over teammate Jenny Slaveck in the semis.
“Allura continues to play with tenacity, grit and precision,” described Anderson of his top singles player. “I love watching her perform.”
Noah Hastings and Alyssa Webster made a run in the mixed doubles bracket, making the semis before falling to a very tough Moscow team. Noah’s speed from the baseline to the net and Alyssa’s consistent strokes and accurate serves are a tough combination for opponents.
Hadley Goodvin and Carter Johnson had a great tournament, making it to the consolation finals before falling to Post Falls.
“Carter’s quick hands won dozens of points throughout the tournament and Hadley’s ground strokes rarely failed her,” said Anderson. “These two will definitely be a force at districts.”
Declan Plummer won his first three matches in singles, before being eliminated in the first round of bracket play.
The Bulldogs are at Post Falls today, at Moscow on Wednesday and in Spokane on Friday and Saturday of a busy week.
TEAM SCORES — 1, Moscow 96. 2, Sandpoint 71. 3, Coeur d’Alene 59. 4, Cheney 58. 5, Post Falls 48. 6, Lake City 42. 7, Lakeland 30. 8, Team Trojans 17.
BOYS SINGLES — Championship: Jorge Bonacho, LL, d. Peter Goebel, Mos, 5-3. Third place: Dereck Wendt, Mos, d. Chris Vargas, LC, 5-3. Consolation championship: David Durfee, LL, d. Colton Melton, PF, 5-4. Consolation third place: Chris Swider, Cd’A, d. Jared Adams, Che, 5-2.
GIRLS SINGLES — Championship: Madi Whittemore, Cd’A, d. Allura Livingston, Spt, 5-2. Third place: Nika Cauwe, Che, d. Jenny Slaveck, Spt, 5-4.
BOYS DOUBLES — Championship: Johnson/Kitchel, Mos, d. Olvera/Weiniger, LC, 5-1. Third place: Curtis/Priebe, Cd’A, d. Pearson/Wilding, LL, 5-2.
GIRLS DOUBLES — Championship: Clark/Clark, Spt, d. Kauer/Hellwig, Cd’A, 5-3. Third place: Stowers/Sunnel, PF, d. Lahr/Steenburgh, PF, 5-2. Consolation championship: White/Leal, Che, d. McDaniel/York, Che, by injury default. Consolation third place: Gates/Shay, LC, d. Piazza/Wery, Cd’A, 5-3.
MIXED DOUBLES — Championship: Postell/Vierling, Mos, d. Broyles/Garber, Mos, 5-4. Third place: Gates/Morris, LC, d. Hastings/Webster, Spt, 5-1. Consolation championship: Nagrone/Espina, PF, d. Johnson/Goodwin, Spt, 5-2. Consolation third place: Peterson/Thorp, LC, d. Childress/DeLeonard, Cd’A, 5-0.