PREP TENNIS: Sandpoint gets key wins, falls just shy of CDA in season-opener

COEUR d’ALENE — Sandpoint got some key wins, but couldn’t quite catch Coeur d’Alene, falling 7-5 to the Vikings at Coeur d’Alene High on Thursday.

For the boys, Matthew Norton was missing in the No. 2 singles spot, which caused head coach Kent Anderson to shake things up. Brennan Johnson and Fisher Dail, who normally play doubles, filled in at the No. 2 and No. 3 singles spots, respectively. Overall, the boys came up with just one win against a strong CDA lineup. Ethan Ballard and Nathan Duke won in the No. 1 doubles spot after three sets, winning on a 10-point tiebreaker that had eight different match points.

On the other hand, Sandpoint’s girls were pretty dominant. Pepper Rickert defeated her friend and former hitting partner Caitlin Combes, 6-3, 6-0, in her varsity debut. Neva Reseska, the No. 1 ranked 4A player in 2023, also dominated, beating CDA’s Madi Hunt, 6-2, 6-0.

“Neva’s opponent has a big game, but Neva just refuses to lose points,” Anderson said. “Her mental toughness has always been her strength.”

In doubles, Sydney Webb and Aubrey Knowles won on a second set tiebreaker after dominating the first set, 6-0, 6-6 (7-2).

“These two don’t get pushed too often,” Anderson said. “It’s great that they hung on to win because that is the type of pressure they will feel at state.”

In the No. 2 girls doubles spot, Berkeley Cox and Mya Vorhies also dominated, winning 6-2, 6-0.

“They are both hard fighters and Berkeley’s serve was almost untouchable,” Anderson said. “I lost count of how many aces she delivered.”

Anderson said it was a good showing especially given that the Bulldogs were missing one of their top players.

Sandpoint (0-1) will travel to Post Falls on Wednesday.

Coeur d'Alene 7, Sandpoint 5

BOYS SINGLES — No. 1 Connor Judson, CDA, d. Jacob Dawson, 6-0, 6-1. No. 2 Grant Johnson, CDA, d. Brennan Johnson, 6-1, 6-0. No. 3 Roberto Ledda, CDA, d. Fisher Dail, 6-1, 6-3.

GIRLS SINGLES — No. 1 Pepper Rickert, SPT, d. Caitlin Combes, 6-0, 6-3. No. 2 Neva Reseska, SPT, d. Madi Hunt, 6-2, 6-0. No. 3 Eden Stephens, CDA, d. Bella Bailey, 6-4, 6-0.

BOYS DOUBLES — No. 1 Ethan Ballard/Nathan Duke, SPT. d. Luke May/Aiden Antal, 6-3, 5-7, 6-6 (11-9). No. 2 Payson Irwin/Cooper Irwin, CDA, d. Caden Martz/Colby Dyk, 6-3, 6-0.

GIRLS DOUBLES — No. 1 Sydney Webb/Aubrey Knowles, SPT, d. Julia Johnson/Grace Priest, 6-0, 6-6 (7-2). No. 2 Berkeley Cox/Mya Vorhies, SPT, d. Annie Wislon/Brooklyn Brunn. 6-2, 6-0.

MIXED DOUBLES — No. 1 Samuel Mandel/Krysten Moore, CDA, d. Elly Tutin/Noah Spinney, 7-5, 6-4. No. 2 Kaisa Kent/Jackson Okuniewicz, CDA, d. Lily Evans/Luke Wikoff, 6-2, 4-6, 6-6 (10-7).