PREP TENNIS: Coeur d'Alene's McHugh, Gunnerson/Langdon, Sandpoint's Hon/Scrimsher win consolation titles

SPOKANE - Coeur d'Alene High junior Caitlin McHugh won the consolation bracket to finish fifth in No. 1 girls singles at the prestigious Inland Empire Tournament which concluded Saturday.

McHugh defeated Marina Garcia of Richland 6-1, 6-2 in the consolation semifinals, then beat Jaclyn Meyers of Clarkston 6-2, 6-0 in the consolation final.

"She kind of breezed through," Coeur d'Alene girls coach Laura Taylor said. "She only lost a total of three games (today). Caitlin is playing some really good tennis right now."

Courtney Gunnerson and Leah Langdon of Coeur d'Alene, playing together for the first time, also won a consolation title, beating Yovanna Arreola and Joanna Pugade of Wapato (Wash.) 6-4, 6-4 in the finals in No. 2 girls doubles. Earlier, they beat Ashlyn Osborne and Dominique Martinez of Kennewick 6-0, 6-3 in the consolation semis.

Gunnerson had been playing mixed doubles, and Langdon was playing girls doubles with another partner.

Teaming up for the first time all season, Sandpoint's Alex Hon and Bailey Scrimsher won four matches and lost one at No. 1 mixed doubles, winning the consolation championship, beating Sloane Booterbaugh and Johnny Dance of Coeur d'Alene 7-5, 6-4 in the championship match.

After losing in the first round, Sandpoint coach Kent Anderson said they figured out how to play to each other's strengths and reeled off four straight wins against some solid competition.

"Alex's lefty serve dominated in every match," said Anderson of the duo, who usually play singles. "Bailey's pure athleticism frustrated their opponents."

Earlier, Booterbaugh and Dance defeated Becca Balen and Jason Stockdale of Central Valley 6-7 (4), 7-6 (5), 10-3 (super tie-breaker) in the consolation semifinals.

Katy Mares and Nicolette Jessen teamed up for the first time all season at No. 2 girls doubles, advancing to the quarterfinals. Kennedy Search and Megan Rockwell went 1-1 at No. 1 girls doubles, Emily Chatburn and Sadie Nitcy went 1-1 at No. 3 girls doubles, and Cassidy Story lost twice at No. 2 singles to round out the Bulldog girls results.

Also teaming up for the first time on the boys side were Collin Jurenka and Lorenzo DeBernarchi at No. 2 doubles, as the duo won the first two matches to advance to the quarters.

"Collin has made great strides with his serve and volley, and he used both the max," said Anderson. "His volleys combined well with Lorenzo's screaming groundstrokes. They had a great tournament."

Carson Nygren and Micah Buckmiller went 1-1 at No. 1 doubles, and Michael and Daniel Durfee went 1-1 at No. 3 doubles to round out the Bulldog boys action.