Miller and Niksich earn team's first boys state medals

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The tennis boys doubles team of Jordan Niksich and Joey Miller made history for Mountain Home High School when they became the first boys players to earn a medal at the state tennis tournament.

The pair finished fourth in the state.

Tiger Tennis finished off a strong season with both of its #1 and #2 boys' doubles teams playing in the State 4A Tennis Tournament held May 16-17 at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club and surrounding sites.

"It was a tremendous weekend for the Tiger Boys' tennis team," said Coach Tamzy House.

"Both doubles teams played awesome tennis against some tough competition--they never gave up and when they finally lost it was because somebody had to play really tough to beat them--I couldn't have been prouder of them," said Coach House.

To start the double elimination tournament off on Friday at Borah HS, the #2 team of Keth Galloway and Bryan Walsh took on eastern Idaho's #1 district team from Blackfoot, losing a tough fight 4-6, 1-6. Later that afternoon they competed against Moscow in the first round of the consolation, going three sets in a comeback attempt but lost 3-6, 6-4, 1-6, which knocked them out of the tournament.

"Keth and Bryan had a great season, winning 62 percent of their matches and taking 6th place at districts, qualifying them for state," said Coach House.

"Bryan is a senior, but Keth is a junior so we'll still have state experience on the team for next year."

The #1 doubles team of Jordan Niksich and Joey Miller began tournament play against #1 Hillcrest, easily winning 6-2, 6-1. In the 2nd round of the main draw, they played the #2 seed, Wood River, who ultimately won the state boys' doubles championship.

The Tiger #1 team went three sets against Wood River, ultimately losing 1-6, 6-4, 1-6.

"Jordan and Joey were the only doubles team that took Wood River to three sets--very impressive play," said Coach House.

With the loss to Wood River, the #1 Tiger doubles headed into late afternoon second round consolation play against Minico #2, winning 6-4, 6-0.

Saturday the #1 Tiger boys battled Moscow for close to three hours, going three tough sets before pulling out the win at 4-6, 7-6 (TB8-6), 7-6 (7-4).

With that win, #1 Tiger doubles made it to the top six of the tournament. To get in medal range they had to next beat Kuna #1, which had lost in the main draw semifinals.

"Jordan and Joey had only 30 minutes to rest before they took on Kuna #1," said Coach House, "but they were pumped and they quickly finished off a very frustrated Kuna team, 6-1, 6-2."

The win against Kuna put the #1 Tiger doubles in the consolation finals competing for 3rd or 4th place. "Jordan and Joey had 45 minutes to get to the racquet club for the consolation finals against Sandpoint," said Coach House. "They ended up playing on indoor courts, which led to a fast pace, hard-hitting match. Jordan and Joey held their own throughout the match but at the end could not overcome the Sandpoint team, losing 4-6, 0-6.

"When you step back at look at what Jordan and Joey did--it is amazing," said Coach House. "They went 4-2 in tournament match play, and on Saturday, they played seven tough sets over a six-hour period."

By winning the 4th place medal, Jordan and Joey became the first boys' team members to place in tennis at state for the Tigers. The last time anyone placed at state in tennis for the Tigers was during the period from 2000 to 2003 when Andrea House took 4th, 2nd, and two state single championships.

"Jordan and Joey have had a history making season, winning 68 percent of their matches, taking 4th at both district and state. What a great way to end their senior year. I am so very proud of them," said House.

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    Way to go boys! These two boys did outstanding work during these matches, and I couldn't be more proud of them. Team work and perseverance got them to where they are. Joey couldn't have had a better partner than Jordan, and they worked very well together. They stuck to it and represented Mountain Home in the best possible way!

    Tamzy House also deserves a great Thank you for being a postitive influence for the entire team. She brought her own experience and love for tennis & always went above and beyond what was needed and genuinely cared about these competitors.

    Proud Mom of Joey Miller

    -- Posted by jessiemiller on Wed, May 21, 2008, at 1:08 PM
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