Skyview remains perfect
Skyview’s Kenny Dodd returns a shot from Nampa’s Brian Dambi during a match on Thursday afternoon at Skyview High School. Dodd won the match 6-1, 6-0.Charlie Litchfield/IPT
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Friday, May 1st, 2009
NAMPA — Still perfect, times two.
The Skyview boys and girls tennis teams swept Nampa on Thursday — 5-2 and 6-1, respectively — thereby maintaining undefeated records and etching a share for their 4A SIC title quests.
Led by undefeated No.1 singles players — Kenny Dodd and Hayley Hutchings — undefeated boys doubles tandems, and a perfect pairing at No. 2 mixed doubles, Skyview heads into its match today versus Bishop Kelly seeking the outright conference title.
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"We actually had a lot of holes to fill this year," said Skyview coach Scott Hogan, whose teams are both 11-0. "We just had the pieces fit into the lineup at the right spots.
"We've got four-or-five kids that haven't lost. And if you count the kids who only lost once, we've got a pretty big group."
Dodd ousted Nampa No.1 singles player Brian Dambi, 6-1, 6-0. It's the second time this season they faced each other, and the second time Dodd has prevailed. The junior opponents may very well meet again when the district tournament begins Thursday.
"Hopefully I'll get in the finals with Kenny," said Dambi, who emphasized a need for mental toughness. "He's consistent. He places the ball real well."
As does Skyview No. 1 doubles tandem of Clay Cooley and Tony Agenbroad, who defeated Shawn Swensen and Jaron Lakey, 6-1, 6-2.
Cooley reached the state championship match last season with a different partner, and this year, Agenbroad brings his three-year undefeated record — recorded primarily at No. 2 singles across two seasons — into the same Skyview backcourt.
"Tony's mental game is a lot stronger," said Cooley, who's been offered a scholarship at Treasure Valley Community College. "Tony's serve placement was really good today, which helps me at the net."
Also maintaining their season-long win streaks were the Skyview No. 2 doubles tandem — Preston Barker and Cody Pearson — and No. 2 mixed doubles tandem, Kelsey Green and Chris Redd.
After placing second at districts last season as a junior, Hutchings maintained her unblemished trend Thursday, defeating Kristina Wineman, 6-1, 6-3. As a result, the Hawks' senior says she's "excited" as districts approach.
"It's all about the right mindset," Hutchings said. "You can't psyche yourself out, because tennis is such a mental game."
Vilord wins for Nampa
Bulldogs' No. 3 girls singles player Kat Vilord defeated Beth Stewart, 7-5, 6-2, continuing her winning trend.
"She's really come on strong at the end of the season," Nampa coach Josh Williamson said. "She's been more determined to win, more determined to compete."
