Sahota Makes Program History

The tournament, held April 24-25, featured 57 schools and 798 athletes, giving small-school players a chance to test themselves against athletes from larger programs.

“Welcome to the Simi Sahota show,” Chewelah coach Denise Smith said. “And what a show it was Friday and Saturday.”

Sahota was seeded second in the No. 1 girls singles division and finished with the second-place medal. Smith said the finish came “through years of hard work, great skills and good focus.”

Sahota opened the tournament against Jane Thompson of Central Valley, winning 6-1, 6-0. She then defeated Arella Mendoza of East Valley of Yakima 6-0, 6-0 behind a strong serve and well-placed shots to the deep corners.

In her third match, Sahota was expected to face Lexi Maddox of Mead, but Maddox withdrew because of a hip injury. Sahota instead faced Harper Zitterkopf of University, using consistent ground strokes and touch around the net to win 6-0, 6-2.

In the semifinals, Sahota faced Natalie Richardson of La Salle, a player Smith said should be at the 2B/1B state tournament this year. Sahota won 6-1, 6-0 with an aggressive style, attacking Richardson’s backhand and mixing in slices to advance to the championship match.

Sahota faced Pepper Rickert of Sandpoint in the final, falling 6-0, 6-0. Smith said Rickert had the same result against all of her opponents, but Sahota earned praise from the Sandpoint coach as the best opponent Rickert faced because of her solid groundstrokes and ability to challenge her.

Sahota previously won No. 2 championship matches in 2024 and 2025. Chandler Kirk Patterson and Tenika Smith also won a No. 2 mixed doubles title in 2015.

“Going into the tournament I was pretty confident about making it to the final and overall performing well,” Sahota said. “Two weeks before, my dad helped me learn a new forehand technique that would help me hit faster shots with more accuracy, and it worked. I hit multiple cross court and down-the-line shots which helped me earn many points. It was a great experience for me, and I got to meet multiple friends from all over Washington that also came to Spokane to participate in the tournament.”

Megan Watts played No. 2 singles for Chewelah. She lost her opening match to Cora Woydziak of Post Falls, but Smith said Watts played well when she attacked offensively and scored winners with drop shots over the net.

Watts won her second match 6-3, 6-4. In her third match, she battled back from a 5-1 deficit before dropping the opening set 7-5. Smith said Watts lost sight in one eye for a full set but continued to compete.

“I love the grit Megan brings to the court,” Smith said. “To not give up and continue fighting while having limited vision is very commendable.”

Cora Grooms and Emily Howder competed in No. 2 doubles. They opened against Colville, a team they had already beaten twice this season, and earned a 6-2, 6-3 win. Smith said the duo had to adjust the angle of their net shots because Colville was playing deeper on the court. Howder and Grooms both served well in the victory.

The pair later faced Southridge and lost a close match, 4-6, 6-3, 10-6.

Alex Backman and Mel Sands played in the No. 2 mixed doubles division. They lost both matches but were competitive, with Smith saying the pair complemented each other well on the court.

“It was so fun playing with Alex, and we were so close to winning,” Sands said. “I’m really sad it’s my last year, but it was fun for my last one.”

Assistant Coach Lindsay Baxter praised Sands’ ability to return difficult shots and Backman’s “spider monkey” moves to quickly reach balls that could have been winners.