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SHS tennis forces tie with Lewiston

by DYLAN GREENE
Sports Editor | April 15, 2021 1:00 AM

LEWISTON — For the second time this season, Sandpoint tennis battled Lewiston on Wednesday.

The two evenly-matched squads went back and forth until the final point and in the end, they tied 6-6.

"That's a pretty good sign because Lewiston is a really good program," head coach Kent Anderson said. "For us to be right there with them, I'm pretty happy about it and I'm pretty sure we're going to beat them next time, too."

In a match on March 13 in Coeur d'Alene, the Bengals pulled out a 7-5 victory over the Bulldogs. Wednesday's match was much different than the first due in large part to the 25 mph winds, Anderson said.

"It was just nuts," he said.

Despite Lewiston being a 5A school, Anderson said he always looks at the Bengals as Sandpoint's biggest rival because of how much they push each other on the tennis court.

"We don't like to lose and it's really fun to play those guys," he said.

To force a tie, the Bulldogs needed Brahma Heitz to prevail at the No. 3 boys singles spot. Heitz dropped the first set 6-1, but fought back to take the second and third sets.

Anderson said the match lasted two hours and it was a thrilling victory for Heitz.

"His speed was the difference," Anderson said. "He's just very determined and fast. The wind is blowing the ball around and you don't know where it's going to end up, but he was just getting to them."

Sandpoint swept boys and girls doubles again. Josh Embree and Christian Story dropped their first games of the season at No. 1 boys doubles, but secured a 6-4, 6-2 win.

At No. 1 girls doubles, Olivia Petruso and Denali Terry grabbed a 6-4, 6-3 victory. Maile Evans and Berkeley Cox coasted to a 6-1, 6-1 win at the No. 2 spot.

"It was just great to see them come through with a win like that," Anderson said about the pairing.

Carter Johnson and Tyler Korn continued to roll and stayed undefeated at No. 2 boys doubles with a 6-1, 6-1 victory.

"Carter and Tyler were just dominant," Anderson said. "They were crushing balls, it was like there was no wind."

Despite not playing a match in almost two weeks, Adrian Doty didn't miss a beat with a 6-4, 6-3 win at No. 3 singles for the girls.

Sandpoint travels to Coeur d'Alene at 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Sandpoint 6. Lewiston 6.

Sandpoint athletes in bold.

GIRLS SINGLES: No. 1 Rylei Carper d. Neva Reseska, 6-3, 6-4. No. 2 Allie Olson d. Maise Brazill, 6-3, 6-3. No. 3 Adrian Doty d. Gretchen Pals, 6-4, 6-3.

GIRLS DOUBLES: No. 1 Olivia Petruso/Denali Terry d. Lexi Ahlers/Rachel Sheppard, 6-4, 6-3. No. 2 Maile Evans/Berkeley Cox d. Catherine Ho/Hope Scott, 6-1, 6-1.

BOYS SINGLES: No. 1 Austin Gomez d. Charlie Johnson, 6-1, 6-1. No. 2 Dylan Gomez d. Tyler McNamee, 6-0, 6-0. No. 3 Brahma Heitz d. Christian Bren, 1-6, 6-2 (6-3).

BOYS DOUBLES: No. 1 Josh Embree/Christian Story d. Aidan Brogan/Tristan Bachman, 6-4, 6-2. No. 2 Carter Johnson/Tyler Korn d. Austin Lawrence/Brennan Barrick, 6-1, 6-1.

MIXED DOUBLES: No. 1 Shelby Hobbs/Henry Parkey d. Aden Heitz/Kailee McNamee, 6-3, 6-2. No. 2 Ryann Finch/Daniel Brereton d. Evan Wiley/Elly Pincher, 6-1, 6-3.