SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint tennis ready to continue reign of dominance

Last Season: 9-1 record with key wins over Lewiston, Coeur d’Alene; GIRLS – Won 4A District 1/2 Championship, placed fourth at state. BOYS – Won 4A District 1/2 Championship, placed 11th (tie) at state.

Head Coach: Kent Anderson, 16th season

Athletes to watch: SINGLES – Neva Reseska, sr.; Pepper Rickert, fr; Jacob Dawson, jr.; Matthew Norton, sr. DOUBLES – Sydney Webb, sr.; Aubrey Knowles, jr.; Ethan Ballard, so.; Nathan Duke, so. MIXED DOUBLES – Noah Spinney, sr.; Elly Tutin, sr.

Sandpoint tennis will look to stay winning in 2024. Both the boys and girls won 4A District 1/2 titles last year, and head coach Kent Anderson says the Bulldogs will look to repeat that and then some. Anderson said both teams are looking strong yet again, and is especially excited about the girls’ chance of bringing home the coveted state title this year.

BOYS

Jacob Dawson returns for his junior season. Last year, he won the 4A district title after handily defeating Lakeland’s Ben Ryan, 6-1, 6-0. Although he did not pick up a win at the state championship, he was one of just three sophomores at the time who qualified. Dawson is slated to be Sandpoint’s No. 1 boys’ singles player again this year. Also returning in the No. 2 spot will be Matthew Norton, who Anderson said he expects to go undefeated this season.

“Jacob will only have a small problem against Coeur d’Alene’s number one, but other than that, I don’t believe anyone has a chance at beating Jacob either,” Anderson said. “Jacob has a lot of weapons. He has big groundstrokes, but doesn’t depend on those – he has good dropshots, a good net game – he is super crafty and that is why he is number one.”

Anderson also had great things to say about Norton’s game.

“Matthew has about the cleanest, best strokes we have had on this team,” Anderson said. “He is really able to rip balls and we’ll be looking to get him some more weapons here soon.”

In doubles, Ethan Ballard and Nathan Duke will play in the No. 1 spot. Anderson said the two are always out playing and are dedicated to the sport.

“They’re always out here, they’ll play with anyone,” Anderson said. “They’re going to be tough to beat and I’m anxious to see what happens this year. They’re more conventional players and are just real solid. They both have good serves, groundstrokes, and are both super fast.”

GIRLS

Freshman Pepper Rickert joins an already stacked Bulldog squad this year. The emerging tennis phenom has played against national and even international competition the last couple years. She is currently ranked as a 4-star recruit (No. 107 in nation, No. 1 in Idaho) by tennisrecruiting.net.

“Pepper will be playing number one and that drops everyone else down one level,” Anderson said. “With Neva playing at No. 2 this year, nobody will catch her. She went into the state tournament last year as the No. 1 seed.”

Senior Neva Reseska will also be another big name to watch. Reseska finished fourth last year at the 4A state championship. She also won the 4A District 1/2 championship over teammate Maisie Brazill last year, 6-2, 6-4. Anderson said she is tougher this year than last.

“Both Pepper and Neva are really solid from the baseline,” Anderson said. “They have natural power. Pepper’s strength is her experience. Even as a ninth grader, she has been under a lot of pressure and is tough to break. Pepper also has a huge serve that is hard to break. Neva’s strength is that she is unshakeable and never gives up. She has solid groundstrokes, is consistent, and is just a superior natural athlete.”

Just like last year, senior Sydney Webb and Aubrey Knowles play in the No. 1 doubles spot. The pair were 4A District 1/2 champions and won their opening round match at the 4A state tournament.

“They’re better this year,” Anderson said. “Sydney and Aubrey play so well together – they understand each other's movements on the court, they’re tough.”

Anderson said if Rickert can win state and Neva, Sydney and Aubrey can go deep, that Sandpoint has a very healthy shot of winning the state championship this year.

    Sandpoint's Neva Reseska returns a serve in a match held at Travers Park last season.
  

Sandpoint Tennis Schedule

3/14 – @ Coeur d’Alene 2 p.m.

3/20 – @ Post Falls 3 p.m.

3/22 – Clarkston Tournament

3/28 – @ Moscow 3 p.m.

4/9 – vs. Lewiston 2 p.m.

4/10 – @ Lakeland 3 p.m.

4/11 – vs. Post Falls 3 p.m.

4/16 – vs. Lake City 3 p.m.

4/19-20 – Lewiston Invitational

4/26-27 – Inland Empire Tournament (Spokane)

4/30 – vs. Lake City 3 p.m.

5/2 – vs. Moscow 3 p.m.

5/3-4 – JV Tournament @ CDA/Lake City

5/6 – vs. CDA and CDA Charter 3 p.m.

5/9-11 – District Tournament @ Washington State University

5/17-18 – State Tournament @ Boise State University