Bulldog tennis team eager to represent in 2018
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) The powerhouse Bulldog girls tennis team, pictured back row, from left to right: April Clark, Allura Livingston, Amy Clark and Jenny Slaveck. Front row: Olivia Ramirez, Colleene McBride, Tessa Beeman, Alana Seifert and Hadley Goodvin.
SANDPOINT — Led by arguably the strongest girls tennis team in North Idaho, the Bulldogs will take the court in 2018 looking to maintain the high bar set by previous teams.
Leading the girls team are senior sisters April and Amy Clark, who played second fiddle to Sandpoint’s first ever state champions last year in doubles team Laney Search and Khloe Kyllonen. The Clarks are eager to show they have some game of their own, and are aiming high.
“To play in state for the first time,” said April Clark of their goal. “We’re sisters, we can communicate well and know each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
April is a consistent hitter who can move opponents around the court, and is a strong volleyer at the net, while Amy is a big hitter with great leverage and power.
“She can be very intimidating,” admitted Bulldog head coach Kent Anderson. “The combination of her power and April’s consistency makes them a very formidable No. 1 doubles team.”
A pair of strong singles players return in juniors Allura Livingston and Alana Seifert, each of whom has plenty of varsity experience. Livingston was the 2017 Inland Empire League Player of the Year, and will again take on the role of No. 1 singles.
“She plays with supreme confidence and a tireless work-ethic. Great eye-hand coordination and very quick, with a great understanding of the court,” described Anderson, also lauding the consistency of Seifert. “It’s hard to find a weakness with her baseline game. She rarely double-faults and plays with fluidity. It’s so much fun watching her quietly dismantle her opponents.”
Sophomore Jenny Slaveck brings power, grace and intensity to the court according to Anderson, and will join junior Tessa Beeman as a pair of players that can excel anywhere in the lineup. Both are volleyball players, and both return with varsity tennis experience.
“Tessa has extremely smooth strokes and plays with confidence,” said Anderson. “Her quick hands make her a potent volleyer.”
Junior Colleene McBride, senior Alyssa Webster, sophomore Hadley Goodvin and junior Olivia Ramirez round out a strong girls team.
Leading the boys team at No. 1 singles will be junior Declan Plummer, whom Anderson calls a reborn player who has elevated his game since earning the No. 1 spot.
“His top-spin forehand is a very difficult shot for any opponent to deal with,” described Anderson. “He creates so many problems for his opponents with his speed. It is almost impossible to hit a sure winner against Dec.”
Senior Noah Hastings is another player with high-end athletic ability and tremendous speed. He has a will to win and plays with confidence, able to hit with both power and finesse. Junior Shane Curtis is gifted with great eye-hand coordination and moves well on the court in singles.
Fortifying a mostly young boys varsity is three freshmen in Charlie Johnson, Christian Story and Tyler McNamee, each bringing a competitive spirit and skills to the court.
“They are, basically, fearless and all are very difficult to beat. All three have solid all-around games, strong serves and quick volleys,” praised Anderson. “This may be our best freshmen class ever.”
Freshman Carter Johnson, senior Terron Tvrdy and freshman Josh Jessen round out the boys varsity.