Area tennis teams compete at Inland Empire tournament
(Photo illustration courtesy of KENT ANDERSON)
(Photo illustration courtesy of KENT ANDERSON) Lily Anderson and Colleene McBride pose with the scoreboard after placing fourth at the Inland Empire Tournament. on April 27. Despite injuries, the duo romped their way through the first day of action and into the third-place match.
(Photo by KYLE CAJERO) Clark Fork’s Lily Anderson returns a shot during a match at Coeur d’Alene High School on April 25. Simko and doubles partner Ellie Kiebert rolled through the consolation bracket in the first day of the Inland Empire Tournament on April 26.
(Photo by KYLE CAJERO) Clark Fork junior Ellie Kiebert serves during a match at Coeur d'Alene High School on April 25.
Despite injuries, rain, howling winds and the logistic nightmare of holding the Inland Empire Tournament at several locations throughout Spokane, both Sandpoint and Clark Fork doubles teams made deep runs in the 50-team tennis tournament this past weekend.
Of all the area teams, Sandpoint’s Tabor Dussault and Carter Johnson had the deepest run in their respective brackets. The duo fell in the first round, but then battled throughout the consolation bracket with wins against Washington schools Gonzaga Prep and Selah in order to make semifinals on Saturday. In the semifinals, they took a loss to a team from Wapata High School and rebounded with a win over Ellensburg in the third-place match.
Yet the Sandpoint doubles team that made the most noise was Lily Anderson and Colleene McBride, both of whom went into “warrior mode,” according to their head coach Kent Anderson. Despite lingering injuries and marathon matches, the tandem rattled off four wins on Friday in order to make Saturday’s semifinals.
“[Anderson and McBride’s] main-draw victories over tough Washington schools Toppenish, Chelan and Pullman were truly impressive,” Anderson wrote in an email. “Lily played the entire tournament with a sprained ankle and Colleene sprained her arch on Friday during their eight hours of match-play. The semifinal match against a strong Mt. Spokane team was a little too much for their injured bodies, but they still put up a tough fight.”
Even though Anderson and McBride made it to the third-place match on Saturday, fatigue and their injuries got the best of them; although their run ended in a default, the team earned high praise from their coach.
“Watching these two battle under the harshest conditions was an inspiration for everyone in attendance,” Anderson said. “They made their coaches and team proud.”
Speaking of teams that made the Saturday semifinal rounds, Clark Fork’s No. 1 girls doubles team of Lily Simko and Ellie Kiebert made a run through the consolation round in order to make Saturday’s semifinal rounds. Fellow Wampus Cat teammates — and Lily’s younger brother — Wesley Simko and Blaine Williams won their first three matches at No. 2 boys doubles, yet came up one win short of playing on Saturday.
Sandpoint’s Christian Story and Anton Morau faced a similar fate at No. 2 doubles. After winning their first two matches, the pair lost in the third round at the end of five hours of high-intensity tennis.
“When you put two athletes of this caliber together, good things happen,” Anderson said of the duo.
Elsewhere in girls doubles, Tessa Beeman and Allura Livingston took advantage of the competition at No. 1 doubles. The pair, who have yet to lose a match against a 4A Inland Empire League team, won a decisive match in the first round, but ran into the No. 1-overall seed from Wenatchie in the second round.
“They played flawless tennis in the first round,” Anderson said. “The second round was a great test and a preview of what they’ll see at state in three weeks. Even though they lost, they played with confidence & the points were solid. These two are fun to watch.”
Meanwhile in mixed doubles, Denali Terry teamed up with Tyler Korn at No, 2 doubles and also found themselves battling for 5 hours during their three matches.Although the freshman lost in the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket, they both made notable strides during their most competitive invitational of their young careers.
“Both Denali and Tyler have had uncommon success as freshmen this year in both doubles and singles,” Anderson said.
Sandpoint tennis will host fellow 4A IEL school Moscow today at 3 p.m. Clark Fork plays at CDA Charter on April 30 at 3 p.m.