CF tennis trio gains plenty of court time, experience in Lewiston

LEWISTON — The three seniors on the Clark Fork tennis team saw plenty of court time this Saturday at a 3A District 1-2 jamboree.

Blaine Williams, Wesley Simko and Eli Engelhart each played in five pro-set matches.

"This was just what the guys needed — lots of competitive tennis," head coach Jeff Emmer said. "It was fun to see their confidence grow throughout the day in what was essentially their first real matches of the season."

Williams and Engelhart opened up the day with a loss to Orofino's No. 1 doubles pair, while Simko fell to Josh Francis from Clearwater Valley in singles play.

"Wes had better skills, but Josh was super consistent, returning everything and forcing Wes into long rallies," Emmer said about Simko's match. "That was frustrating for Wes because he prefers to end points quickly. It was a great lesson for him though."

In his second match, Engelhart came from behind to claim a thrilling 9-7 victory over Culdesac's Jacob Miller. Williams lost in a tiebreaker to Gabe Kirish, the No. 2 singles player from Clearwater Valley, and Simko cruised to an 8-0 win in a battle with a Culdesac opponent.

Simko and Engelhart teamed up to get revenge on Orofino's No. 1 doubles pair, defeating them 8-3. Williams picked up his first victory of the day with a 8-3 singles win over Grangeville's Isaac Vandomelen.

Engelhart just fell short to Orofino's Daniel Wing in singles play and wrapped up the day by claiming a doubles victory alongside Williams.

Simko and Williams blew past Grangeville's No. 1 doubles pair, 8-0. As freshmen and sophomores, Simko and Williams played doubles together and earned trips to state both years. This spring, both were looking at trying to earn state bids in singles, but Emmer said that could change.

"This match may have them rethinking that as they just had a romp out there," he said.

Simko capped the jamboree with a singles win over Nathaniel Cloyd from Coeur d'Alene Charter.

Overall, Simko went 4-1 in matches, and Williams and Engelhart both posted 3-2 records.

Clark Fork heads to Troy at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

Clark Fork athletes in bold

BOYS SINGLES: Josh Francis d. Wesley Simko, 8-4. Eli Engelhart d. Jacob Miller, 9-7. Gabe Kirish d. Blaine Williams, 9-8. Wesley Simko d. Daniel Wing, 8-0. Blaine Williams d. Isaac Vandomelen, 8-3. Daniel Wing d. Eli Engelhart, 8-6. Wesley Simko d. Nathaniel Cloyd, 8-2.

BOYS DOUBLES: Nathan Martinez/Jase Anderson d. Blaine Williams/Eli Engelhart, 8-3. Wesley Simko/Eli Engelhart d. Nathan Martinez/Jase Anderson, 8-3. Wesley Simko/Blaine Williams d. Aidan Acton/Dayne Kinsley, 8-0. Blaine Williams/Eli Engelhart d. Joss Reid/Jack Lomanto, 8-4.