SHS tennis comes up just short in hard fought battle with Lewiston
Maile Evans hits a return against Lewiston in a match in 2021 at the War Memorial tennis courts.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Tyler Korn prepares to hit a return during doubles play on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Aden Heitz elevates to return a shot on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Berkeley Cox serves on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Brahma Heitz serves on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Brahma Heitz eyes a return shot on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Carter Johnson prepares to hit a return on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Charlie Johnson hits a return on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Maile Evans returns a serve on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Maise Brazill prepares to hit a backhand on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Maise Brazill eyes a return shot on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Patch Howard eyes a return on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Patch Howard hits a forehand on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint tennis was looking to avenge its only loss of the season when Lewiston came to town on Tuesday.
But the Bengals had other plans and handed the Bulldogs a 7-5 defeat for the second time this spring.
Lewiston is one of the top teams in 5A and head coach Kent Anderson said his players always enjoy battling the Bengals.
"We love playing Lewiston," he said. "They are always a great barometer of where our program stands. Today’s match did not disappoint."
Sandpoint swept girls doubles for the second straight match. At No. 1, Olivia Petruso and Denali Terry got into a thriller with the Bengals. They won the first set, but lost the second and were forced into a winner-take-all 10-point tiebreaker. Petruso and Terry won the tiebreaker 10-6.
Anderson said that match will help prepare the duo for a run at a district championship.
"They’re attacking the net with confidence which is required to win districts and make a run at state," he said.
At No. 2 girls doubles, Maile Evans and Berkeley Cox sailed to a 6-2, 6-2 win. Anderson said Cox served three aces in one game.
"Maile and Berkeley methodically dismantled their opponents with consistent patience, strong net play and big serves," he said.
In boys doubles, the match of the day occurred at the No. 1 spot. Dylan Gomez from Lewiston moved over from No. 2 singles, where he's only lost one game this spring, to take on Sandpoint's Josh Embree and Christian Story.
It was an epic battle that went back and forth, but ultimately Lewiston prevailed 6-2, 6-7, 10-4. The defeat ended a bid at an undefeated season for Embree and Story.
"There couldn’t have been a better match to get Josh and Christian prepared for what they’ll face at state," Anderson said. "I was proud of the way our boys fought."
Tyler Korn and Carter Johnson kept their undefeated record in doubles alive with a 6-4, 6-2 victory at No. 2.
"These guys are devastating to play," Anderson said. "... It’s looking like it may be a battle between both Sandpoint teams to determine the district champion [in boys doubles]."
Josh Jessen kept the boys from being swept in singles with a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win at the No. 3 spot.
Adrian Doty did the same on the girls side, winning 6-1, 6-0 in No. 3 singles.
"What a match for Adrian," Anderson said. "She played flawless tennis with very few unforced errors."
The Bulldogs are now 8-2-3 in matches this season.
Sandpoint hosts rival Lakeland on Thursday.
Lewiston 7. Sandpoint 5.
Sandpoint athletes in bold
GIRLS SINGLES: No. 1 Rylei Carper d. Neva Reseska, 6-2, 6-2. No. 2 Allie Olson d. Maise Brazill, 7-5, 6-3. No. 3 Adrian Doty d. Hope Scott, 6-1, 6-0.
GIRLS DOUBLES: No. 1 Olivia Petruso/Denali Terry d. Ryann Finch/Morgan Moran, 6-2, 6-7, 10-6. No. 2 Maile Evans/Berkeley Cox d. Cathryn Ho/Addison Barker, 6-2, 6-2.
BOYS SINGLES: No. 1 Austin Gomez d. Charlie Johnson, 6-2, 6-0. No. 2 Christian Bren d. Brahma Heitz, 6-2, 6-2. No. 3 Josh Jessen d. Kayden Laferriere, 6-2, 6-1.
BOYS DOUBLES: No. 1 Dylan Gomez/Tristan Bachman d. Josh Embree/Christian Story, 6-7, 6-1, 10-4. No. 2 Carter Johnson/Tyler Korn d. Brennan Barrick/Austin Lawrence, 6-4, 6-2.
MIXED DOUBLES: No. 1 Shelby Hobbs/Henry Parkey d. Aden Heitz/Patch Howard, 7-5, 6-3. No. 2 Lexi Ahlers/Daniel Brereton d. Tyler McNamee/Kailee McNamee, 6-2, 6-3.
