Bulldogs tennis handles Lakeland with ease

RATHDRUM – After only getting to play four matches in a rainout versus Coeur d’Alene on Tuesday, the Sandpoint tennis team was eager to get back to the courts. That excitement showed as they beat Lakeland High School in convincing fashion Thursday, April 13, 9-3, to stay undefeated on the season.

Although on paper it seemed like a blowout, the match was closer than the score reflects. Sandpoint fought hard for every single point.

“Lakeland came out fast on their home courts. It took us a while to adjust,” head coach Kent Anderson said.

For the boys, Owen Larson and Ivan Steinbachs pulled out a dramatic doubles victory in the number two slot. After losing the first set, 0-6, the boys rallied back to win on a third set tiebreaker, 0-6, 6-2, 10-5.

“After a shaky start, Owen and Ivan settled down and found consistency while still playing an aggressive style. Their serving has been an issue this season, but it was not today. It was their consistent serves in the last two sets that made the difference,” Anderson said.

Lakeland's Cole Anders and Brady Hanna took care of Evan Wiley and Aden Heitz with a 6-1, 6-1 victory. However, Jacob Dawson and Matthew Norton both won their singles matches.

For the fourth time this season, Sandpoint girls singles swept their opponents. Neva Reseka, Maisie Brazill, and Adrian Doty did not lose a single set in the contest. Even more impressively, Brazill played a perfect match defeating her opponent, 6-0, 6-0.

“Neva, Maisie and Adrian are such great competitors. They grind out every point,” Anderson said.

Sydney Webb and Aubrey Knowles remained undefeated in doubles play with a 6-4, 6-3 win. Patch Howard and Maile Evans were defeated in the number one slot versus the tough Lakeland duo of Addie Raebel and Ellie Carlson.

“Sydney and Aubrey had no jitters today. They were attacking and consistent. At one point in the match, Sydney unleashed three straight aces,” Anderson said.

In mixed doubles, Fisher Dail and Berkeley Cox came back from a 1-5 deficit in the first set to win 7-6, 6-3. Anderson said this was a big confidence builder for the pair and that both Fisher and Berkeley were serving at their highest level yet.

Brennan Johnson and Elly Tutin also notched a 6-2, 6-1 victory in the number two mixed doubles slot.

“Brennan and Elly played their best match together this season. Elly’s quick hands at the net and Brennan’s huge forehands down the line were the difference,” Anderson said.

The Bulldogs will be back in action against Lake City on Tuesday, April 18 at Lake City High School.

SANDPOINT 9, LAKELAND 3

BOYS

SINGLES — No. 1 Jacob Dawson, Spt, d. Ben Ryan, 7-6, (11-9), 6-4. No. 2 Matthew Norton, Spt, d. Ryan Genteman, 6-1, 6-1. No. 3 Asher Drake, Lake, d. Elliot Lowman, 6-1, 6-2.

DOUBLES — No. 1 Brady Hanna/Cole Andres, Lake, d. Evan Wiley/Aden Heitz, 6-1, 6-1. No. 2 Owen Larson/Ivan Steinbachs, Spt, d. Alex Brown/Troy Tebbe, 0-6, 6-2, 10-5.

GIRLS

SINGLES — No. 1 Neva Reseska, Spt, d. Alisha Davidson, 6-0, 6-2. No. 2 Maise Brazill, Spt, d. Kate Bishop, 6-0, 6-0. No. 3 Adrian Doty, Spt, d. Suzy Nichols, 6-4, 6-1.

DOUBLES — No. 1 Addie Raebel/Ellie Carlson, Lake, d. Maile Evans/Patch Howard, 6-2, 6-4. No. 2 Sydney Webb/Aubrey Knowles, Spt, d. Alice Drucdert/Shelby Wear, 6-4, 6-3.

MIXED DOUBLES — No. 1 Fisher Dail/Berkley Cox, Spt, d. Maddie Audres/Michael Pearson, 7-6, (7-4), 6-3. No. 2 Brennan Johnson/Elly Tutin, Spt, d. Amanda Olson/Brock Raebel, 6-2, 6-1.