SMS tennis wins first-ever matches in school history

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — The Sandpoint Middle School tennis team came out strong and won their first two matches in school history, defeating both Ridgeline and Ferris in an all-day event held Saturday at Ridgeline High.

Sandpoint rising star Adam Poulson, who won his singles matches by scores of 8-2 and 8-1, was unstoppable with resounding victories. Sandpoint head coach Kent Anderson said his his big slice serve and penetrating ground strokes were too much for his opponents to deal with.

Theo Janssen, playing in the boys No. 2 spot, won a perfect 8-0 singles match against Ridgeline and then teamed up with his twin sister, Eva Janssen, in a mixed doubles match and they defeated their opponents from Ferris by a score of 8-2.

"Theo's strong volleys and Eva's crushing ground strokes proved to be too much as they rolled to victory," Anderson noted.

Against Ferris, Carter Murray and Eric Young brought home an exciting come-from-behind victory. Down 3-1 at one point, they came back and fought off two match points, eventually claiming a 6-5 win after a final 10-shot, nail-biting rally.

Madi Staggs, Conner Young, Wyatt Winther and Damian DeLucci all went undefeated in their matches for the Bullpups.

"I am so proud of the entire Sandpoint team," Anderson said. "They're hard working, great kids and they represent our town and school in the best possible light."

Sandpoint's middle school tennis team, which transitioned from an intramural to a competition program this year, will travel to Mead on Saturday, Sept. 27, for another league matchup.

Sandpoint 8, Ferris 1

GIRLS SINGLES — Myelle Jensen, Sandpoint, d. Ferris opponent, 8-2.

GIRLS DOUBLES — Ferris opponent, d. Allyson Ballard/Evie Dick, Sandpoint, 8-2; Trinity Price/Madi Staggs, Sandpoint, d. Ferris opponent, 8-2.

BOYS SINGLES — Adam Poulson, Sandpoint, d. Ferris opponent, 8-2.

BOYS DOUBLES — Conner Young/Wyatt Winther, Sandpoint, d. Ferris opponent, 8-2; Zephyr Favazza/Damian Delucci, Sandpoint, d. Ferris opponent, 8-2; Eric Young/Carter Murray, Sandpoint, d. Ferris opponent, 6-5. Sawyer Tico/Damian Delucci, Sandpoint, d. Ferris opponent, 7-6 (7-5).

MIXED DOUBLES — Eva Janssen/Theo Janssen, Sandpoint, d. Ferris opponent, 8-2.

Sandpoint 7, Ridgeline 3

GIRLS SINGLES — Ridgeline opponent, d. Myelle Jensen, Sandpoint, 8-5; Eva Janssen, Sandpoint, d. Ridgeline opponent, 8-3.

GIRLS DOUBLES — Ridgeline opponent, d. Allyson Ballard/Evie Dick, Sandpoint, 8-0. Parker Elvish/Madi Staggs, Sandpoint, d. Ridgeline opponent, 6-2.

BOYS SINGLES — Adam Poulson, Sandpoint, d. Ridgeline opponent, 8-1; Theo Janssen, Sandpoint, d. Ridgeline opponent, 8-0.

BOYS DOUBLES — Conner Young/Wyatt Winther, Sandpoint, d. Ridgeline opponent, 8-2; Zephyr McNamee/Damian Delucci, Sandpoint, d. Ridgeline opponent, 6-0; Ridgeline opponent, d. Eric Young/Carter Murray, Sandpoint, 8-2; Sawyer Tico/Damian Delucci, Sandpoint, d. Ridgeline opponent, 7-6 (7-5).

    Sandpoint rising star Adam Poulson takes a swing during one of his matches this past Saturday. Poulson went 2-0 with near-perfect wins over his opponents from Ridgeline and Ferris.