Rickert undefeated at USTA Battle of the Sections

CLAREMONT, Calif. — Sandpoint High rising junior Pepper Rickert, playing as part of the Pacific Northwest section team, put together an undefeated run in 16-and-under girls singles and doubles to help her squad to a consolation national championship at the Level 1: United States Tennis Association Battle of the Sections held Saturday, July 26, through Wednesday, July 30, at The Claremont Club.

Rickert, a two-time 5A state champion in girls singles, took home four wins in girls doubles with partners Madison Kim of Bothell, Wash., Kate Bonetto of Bend, Ore. and Tayler Conway of Newcastle, Wash. 

With Kim, the two defeated Alexandra Zykova of Vienna, Va. and Emme Hoggatt of Glen Allen, Va. (6-2) and Alana Lee of Lawnside, N.J. and Janvi Kothagundla of Robbinsville, N.J. (6-1). With Conway, the two defeated Sadira Ouyang of Atlanta, Ga. and Elle Groslimond Atlanta, Ga. (7-5). With Bonetto, the two defeated Aspen Irwin of Tulsa, Okla. and Ava Rosenbohm of Lee's Summit, Mo. (6-1).

Rickert also won three girls singles matches, defeating Alexandra Zykova of Vienna, Va. (6-0, 6-0), Sophia Gooch of Broken Arrow, Okla. (6-2, 6-1) and Janvi Kothagundla of Robbinsville, N.J. (6-1, 7-5).

The Pacific Northwest section includes Oregon, Washington, Alaska and the Idaho Panhandle. The section team, which included the top-four ranked 16-and-under and 18-and-under players, went up against 15 other sections from across the nation and only lost one team match during the four-day event. After falling to the Southern section (6-1) in the first round, they defeated Mid-Atlantic (6-1) in the consolation quarterfinals, Missouri Valley (5-2) in the consolation semifinals, and Middle States (4-3) in the consolation finals. 

Level 1 tournaments are considered to be the most prestigious and highest-rated junior tournaments in the nation.

    Sandpoint's Pepper Rickert dials up a serve during a match at Level 1: USTA Battle of the Sections.