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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

LC’s Gullickson qualifies for girls singles semifinals

Josh Petrie Correspondent

Lewis and Clark senior Anna Gullickson had a goal to earn a medal at this year’s State 4A girls singles tennis tournament at Central Valley High School.

On her fourth and final trip to state Friday, she made sure she will accomplish just that.

After breezing through her first-round match over Alyssa Ferry of Emerald Ridge 6-0, 6-1, Gullickson defeated Jamie Chan of Decatur 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 in the quarterfinals to advance to this morning’s semifinals at University High.

Gullickson had quite a battle on her hands with Chan, who took early control of the match.

“(Chan) was playing really well and really consistent, going for more balls,” Gullickson said. “She’s always been tough, and we keep going back-and-forth all the time.”

After the first set, Gullickson regrouped and seized the match.

“I just took it one point at a time,” she said. “I didn’t think about the win or getting up in the games.”

With the victory, Gullickson has assured herself at least fifth place.

“I’ve been working for this for four years. This has been my goal for four years, and I finally made it,” Gullickson said. “I’m just so excited.”

Gullickson’s semifinal opponent will be Suzie Matzenauer of Bellarmine Prep, who finished third last year and fourth in 2003. Matzenauer defeated teammate Amy Markhoff 6-0, 6-3 in the quarters.

Gullickson’s teammate, sophomore Elise Otto, advanced in the consolation bracket. After losing to Natalia Agarycheva of Prairie 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 in the first round, Otto defeated Jackie Mills of Everett 6-0, 6-4, and eliminated Chan 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

On the boys’ side, three of the Greater Spokane League’s four singles players advanced to the quarterfinals, where all lost.

LC sophomore Ben Gullickson fell to Bremerton’s four-time state tournament veteran Joel Trudel 6-4, 6-1. Ferris freshman Whitman Hough lost to reigning champion Christopher Rice of Decatur by the same score.

“I just wanted to go out there and play him,” Hough said. “When you get someone good who is above your level, you kinda go to play his level. I was down and trying to get out of a slump, but he kept me there.”

Gullickson cruised through his consolation match over Alex Yee of Jackson 6-3, 6-0. Hough fell to Gullickson’s first-round opponent, Paul Namkoong of Bellarmine Prep, 6-3, 6-1.

Mt. Spokane senior Logan Napolsky was involved in the best two matches of the day, defeating Mike Reading of Jackson 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (6) in the first round before facing Olympia sophomore Eric DeBusschere for a shot at Rice in the semis.

After splitting the first two sets, Napolsky took a 3-0 lead in the third set, but DeBusschere broke serve twice on his way to a 6-5 lead.

After Napolsky broke DeBusschere to force a tiebreaker, DeBusschere dominated as the wear of six long sets started to show.

“I think we were both running on low. It was rough,” Napolsky said. “I’m definitely tired.”

Napolsky didn’t have much time to rebound from the 6-7 (3), 6-2, 7-6 (3) loss and he fell to Ferris junior Adam Kret 6-2, 7-5. Napolsky had beaten Kret in both their meetings this year.

Kret will join Gullickson in the consolation semifinals. They could face each other for fourth and sixth place.

Jon Assmus and Andy Dorr of Mt. Spokane, the GSL’s only doubles entry, didn’t last long. They lost to Bellarmine Prep’s Steve Hallstone and Simon Meske 6-3, 7-6 (1), and fell to Puyallup’s Konner Ayris and Scott Sullivan 6-2, 6-1.

Today’s singles matches start at 8:30 a.m., followed by doubles at 10. All matches today will be held at U-Hi.