Bulldogs tie Bears in IEL clash

Sandpoint girls tennis romped, but boys struggled against 4A Inland Empire League rival Moscow on March 26. All of the girls won in straight sets, yet the script was flipped over on the boys’ side.

“Our boys ran into Moscow’s tough lineup but showed several bright spots,” Sandpoint head coach Kent Anderson wrote in an email. “I was impressed with Charlie Johnson. He played [two-time district champion] Derek Wendt even for most of the match.”

Both Johnson and Sandpoint’s No. 2 Christian Story were matched up against Moscow players with extensive state experience. Although they showed potential in their matches, all three of the boys were swept in straight sets.

Meanwhile on the girls’ side, the Bulldogs rolled in singles and doubles play. Sparked by No. 1 player Jenny Slaveck’s season debut, the girls turned in impressive performances across the board.

“Allura [Livingston] played flawless tennis,” Sandpoint head coach Kent Anderson said. “She only had two unforced errors in two sets. Both Allura and Hadley Goodvin won in classic fashion, having not given up a set this season.”

Freshmen Denali Terry and Tyler Korn were heroes for Sandpoint. In the last match of the day, the rookies fended off Moscow’s mixed-doubles team in a 7-5 victory to not only cap off a two-set sweep, but also tie the team scores at 6-6.

“Denali and Tyler battled to a close win at second mixed,” Anderson said. “Once again, Tyler landed powerful first serves while Denali’s consistency frustrated her opponents.”

The Bulldogs will play at Mead (Wash.) next Tuesday, April 2. The matches are slated to start at 11 a.m.

Sandpoint 6, Moscow 6

Sandpoint athletes in bold

GIRLS SINGLES: No. 1 Jenny Slaveck d. Chloe White, 6-3, 6-0. No. 2 Colleene McBride d. Katrine Cornwall, 6-0, 6-0. No. 3 Emma Unger d. Jayden Pope, 6-0, 7-6.

GIRLS DOUBLES: Allura Livingston/Tessa Beeman d. Chloe Sampson/Nikki Johnson, 6-1, 6-0. Hadley Goodvin/Taryn McBride d. Ella Fountain/Emilia Fountain, 6-4, 7-6.

BOYS SINGLES: No. 1 Derek Wendt d. Charlie Johnson, 6-3, 6-1. No. 2 Peter Goebel d. Christian Story, 6-2, 6-1. No. 3. Mattias Cornwall d. Charles England, 6-4, 6-3.

BOYS DOUBLES: Riley Paine/Benny Kitchel d. Declan Plummer/Anton Morau, 3-6, 7-6, 6-1. Kel Larson/ Clayton Hemming d. Tabor Dussault/Josh Jessen, 6-4, 6-2.

MIXED DOUBLES: Benny Postell/Sammy Eng d. Carter Johnson/Olivia Ramirez, 6-1, 6-2. Tyler Korn/Denali Terry d. Evan Oldberg/Madison Belknap, 6-4, 7-5.