Published: Sunday, May 31, 2009
Brother, sister win state titles
South Whidbey's Newmans both win 2A state single titles
Herald staff
SEATTLE -- Lindsey and Riley Newman are taking sibling rivalry to the extreme.
South Whidbey's Lindsey Newman won her third straight 2A girls tennis singles state championship Saturday at the Nordstrom Tennis Center. Riley Newman, a sophomore, won his first boys title, giving him the opportunity to match his sister's record with three straight of his own.
The South Whidbey girls also shared the team title with Klahowya. In addition to Lindsey Newman's first-place finish, the Falcons' doubles team of Victoria Comfort and Nicole Zalewski finished fifth.
Although she won all four of her matches in straight sets, Lindsay Newman's path to the championship was "a much tougher road than we anticipated," South Whidbey coach Tom Kramer said.
"The first round was much tougher than expected. The second round was tough. She won but it was no breeze," Kramer said.
In the final against Traci Landram of Klahowya, Lindsey Newman fell behind 0-3 in the first set.
"I was down 0-3 and serving," Lindsey Newman said. "I knew I couldn't get down any more."
She took her first lead at 6-5 and won a tiebreaker 7-3. Then won the second set 6-2.
"It was unbelievable," she said, "like a dream. It was the best feeling in the world.
"There was so much pressure on me. When it was lifted off, it was so amazing."
Now the pressure's on Riley Newman.
"She set the bar high for me," Riley Newman said. "I'm going to have to practice and practice to get to that three-peat."
Riley Newman, an all-Cascade Conference basketball player like his sister, didn't start focusing on tennis until later in the season, Kramer said. He also won each of his four matches in straight sets. He defeated Will Topp of Sehome 7-5, 6-3 in the final.
"It was a slugfest," Kramer said. "They just sit on the baseline and hit it as hard as they can and see who misses first."
Lindsey Newman said each of her three titles was unique. "I had to do something different to win each one, but this one was special because my brother won too."
Comfort and Zalewski lost in the semifinals 6-4, 6-1 to eventual state champions Brandi Benner and Jill Toronchuck of Lynden, then fell 7-5, 7-6 in the third-place match to Shannon Gowan and Sarah Twiford of Bellingham.
4A boys doubles
At Kennewick, Shorewood's Tristan Reni and Scott McConnell lost 6-4, 6-3 to Steven Miyauchi and Zach Chen of Newport in the semifinals, but came back to take third place with a 7-6 (7-3), 7-5 victory over Rajiv Iyengar and Spencer Herron of Bellarmine Prep.
4A boys singles
At Kennewick, after losing in Friday's quarterfinals, Jackson's Michael Chamerski worked his way through consolation play to defeat Joseph de la Cruz of Todd Beamer 6-0, 6-4 in the fourth-place match. Stanwood's Kyle Koetje lost 6-2, 6-0 to eventual champion Max Manthou of Kentwood in the semifinals, then settled for fifth place after losing 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 to Troy Zuroske of Richland.
4A girls singles
Wesco players finished second, third and fourth. Lake Stevens' Antonia Liebenow defeated Amie Vo of Newport 1-6, 6-1, 6-2 in the semifinals, but lost 6-1, 6-1 to Meghan Cassens of Decatur in the final. Kamiak's Elaine Baik lost 6-2, 6-3 to Cassens in the semis, but defeated Vo 6-2, 6-0 for third place. Stanwood's Megan Lalone ousted Rai Cockreham of South Kitsap 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 in a consolation match, then beat Corinne Wurden of Central Kitsap 7-5, 6-3 for fourth place.
3A girls doubles
At Vancouver, Meadowdale's Lianne Fijalka and Sara Portesan were eliminated in consolation play with a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Katie and Kellee Bates of Mt. Spokane.
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