SHS tennis wraps up league title with commanding win over Lakeland
Senior Josh Embree returns a serve by Lakeland during doubles play on Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Adrian Doty hits a return on Thursday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Christian Story eyes a return on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Denali Terry hits a return on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Josh Embree returns a serve on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Josh Jessen hits a backhand on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Olivia Petruso prepares to hit a return.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Denali Terry serves on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Olivia Petruso serves on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Kailee McNamee serves on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Olivia Petruso chases down a shot on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Adrian Doty prepares to hit a return on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Christian Story hits a return on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
Denali Terry prepares to hit a return on Tuesday.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint tennis team completed an undefeated season in 4A Inland Empire League matches with a 9-3 win over Lakeland on Thursday.
The Bulldogs wrapped up the league title and improved to 9-2-3 this spring.
SHS swept mixed doubles and boys doubles to sail past the Hawks.
Josh Embree and Christian Story continued their masterful net play in boys doubles, rolling to a 6-2, 6-0 win.
"It was another methodical victory where they were able to use an array of weapons to coast to victory," head coach Kent Anderson said.
At the No. 2 spot, Tyler Korn and Carter Johnson faced some resistance, but kept their undefeated record with a 6-2, 7-6 victory.
"They needed to dig deep to figure out a way to win," Anderson said about the match. "If you want to go unbeaten for an entire season, there are matches that you have to win even when some of the weapons you rely on may not be working."
Aden Heitz and Patch Howard, and Tyler McNamee and Kailee McNamee could not be stopped in mixed doubles. They both grabbed victories in straight sets.
At No. 2 boys singles, Brahma Heitz got into a thrilling match with Lakeland's Bo Wilding that seemed to go on forever. All three sets went to a tiebreaker and both players were pushed to their limits. Ultimately, Brahma prevailed in a decisive 10-point tiebreaker, 12-10.
"It was a war of attrition except neither player was willing to give in," Anderson said. "This was a character builder for both players."
Josh Jessen also grabbed a 6-0, 6-3 win in boys singles. Anderson said Jessen is peaking at just the right time.
"He's hitting very smoothly and his serve has pop," he said.
In girls singles, Adrian Doty pulled out a 7-5, 6-1 victory and Maise Brazill won her match easily, 6-2, 6-0.
"Maise once again played flawlessly," Anderson said. "Her ability to consistently strike the ball in the sweet-spot of her strings is a testament to her incredible concentration and exceptional vision. She has quite the future in this sport."
Maile Evans and Berkeley Cox enjoyed a comfortable 6-0, 6-2 win in girls doubles.
Sandpoint hosts Coeur d'Alene at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday. It's their final regular season match before the first day of districts next Thursday.
Sandpoint 9. Lakeland 3.
Sandpoint athletes in bold.
GIRLS SINGLES: No. 1 Malika Warnick d. Neva Reseska, 6-2, 6-1. No. 2 Maise Brazill d. Elle Brown, 6-2, 6-0. No. 3 Adrian Doty d. Faith Brodwater, 7-5, 6-1.
GIRLS DOUBLES: No. 1 Ellie Carlson/Addie Raebel d. Olivia Petruso/Denali Terry, 6-3, 6-4. No. 2 Maile Evans/Berkeley Cox d. Rachel Moen/Nina Altsuler, 6-0, 6-2.
BOYS SINGLES: No. 1 Marwan Warnick d. Charlie Johnson, 6-2, 6-1. No. 2 Brahma Heitz d. Bo Wilding, 6-7, 7-6, 12-10. No. 3 Josh Jessen d. Jared Sherman, 6-0, 6-3.
BOYS DOUBLES: No. 1 Josh Embree/Christian Story d. Brady Hanna/Brady Manko, 6-2, 6-0. No. 2 Tyler Korn/Carter Johnson d. Ben Ryan/Cole Andres, 6-2, 7-6.
MIXED DOUBLES: No. 1 Aden Heitz/Patch Howard d. Quinn McGovern/Maddie Hersh, 7-5, 6-1. No. 2 Tyler McNamee/Kailee McNamee d. Cameron Paquette/Maddie Hersh.
