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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Tennis is last stop for James’ prep career

Mike Saunders Correspondent

Sandpoint High three-sport standout Kelsey James is headed to the University of Idaho on a full-ride volleyball scholarship this fall.

But before she goes, she’s got some unfinished business on the tennis court. Third at state in mixed doubles a year ago with partner Geoff Klein, who has since graduated, the 5-foot-11 James takes up the mantle as the Bulldogs’ No. 1 singles player.

James, 3-1 in the season’s early going, said the challenge is a little daunting, but added that she’s definitely up to the task.

“I like mixed doubles a lot, but I also like the challenge of playing by myself,” said James, who helped Sandpoint to a second-place trophy at state last season. “I didn’t know how it was going to turn out, but things have gone pretty well so far.

“I’m kind of sad Geoff graduated, because he was a fun partner, but it never hurts to try something new.”

First-year tennis coach Jane Rockwell, who inherits a young team that graduated nine from last season, said James has the chops to win a regional title and challenge for a trophy at state.

“Kelsey is just so coachable – she really takes direction well and it shows right away when she goes out on the court,” Rockwell said. “She’s such a great athlete and she really takes advantage of her size on her serve and when she comes to the net.”

The Bulldogs’ team captain, James said she doesn’t mind at all taking on the responsibility for leading her younger teammates.

“We’ve only got two seniors, so there are a lot of players looking at us for how to do things,” James said. “It’s fun being the player who kind of runs the show at practice when Coach is busy with somebody else.”

As it turns out, she said she may run another on-court show this fall in volleyball. Idaho’s starting setter graduates this year, so the planets may have lined up for James to step right into the starting role with the Vandals.

“I’m really excited about going – I like the coaches a lot and I like the team,” said James, a four-year starter at Sandpoint who started out in the sport as a third-grader. “And it’s close to home, so my parents can come watch me play. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’ve always wanted to play college volleyball.”

Looking back on her high school career – she was also a starter the last two years in basketball – James pointed to the Bulldogs’ volleyball exploits of her junior season as her biggest thrill.

“We were state champs,” James said. “A 36-0 record, undefeated, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

With the drive she shows in sports and life in general, it should come as no surprise that James holds down a 4.0 GPA.

She said she plans on studying either education or business at Idaho, becoming an elementary school teacher if she decides on the former or looking for something in the marketing field if it turns out to be the latter.

“I like working with kids a lot, but I’m keeping my options open at this point,” said James. “I’ve got plenty of time to make up my mind.”