It appears Sammi Hampton just can’t stay away from the tennis court.
Hampton graduated Arizona State with a degree in English in 2019, but she decided to take a few business classes last year and play out her last year of eligibility.
But last spring, after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down what the Skyview High graduate thought would be her final season playing tennis at ASU, she appeared content to leave college life and pursue her career.
But then tennis kept calling her back.
Hampton is back playing for the 23rd-ranked Sun Devils for the 2021 tennis season after deciding to pursue a master’s degree in Tempe.
“I took the opportunity to play the sport I love with the girls who are like my family,” Hampton told The State Press, ASU’s student publication. “So far, I think it was a great decision, and I have enjoyed every second of it.”
Hampton contributed two wins as the Sun Devils lost to Texas Tech 4-3 in Lubbock, Texas, last Saturday.
Hampton grinded out a tough 6-4, 5-7, 7-5 singles win over Nell Miller in the No. 2 single position to improve to 3-2 in singles on the season. In doubles, she and partner Marianna Argyrokastriti improved to 6-0 on the season with a 6-1 over Bojana Marinkov and Metka Komac.
Jones helps Whitworth
Union High graduate Isaiah Jones had a solid college debut with Whitworth as the Pirates opened their season with a 53-6 rout of Puget Sound.
Jones, a first-year running back, led the Pirates with 70 yards rushing on 10 carries, including a long run of 37 yards.
The game in Spokane was the first of a four-game schedule for Whitworth. The Pirates play against Saturday at Pacific Lutheran.
Bea continues to shine
Washougal graduate Beyonce Bea continues a solid season with the Idaho women’s basketball team, scoring 12 and 14 points as the Vandals split a weekend series with Idaho State last week.
Bea is averaging 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds a game for the Vandals (12-6).
Wildcats back in action
The Central Washington women’s basketball team got some good news as the school announced the Wildcats will play a slate of four games in February and March.
Previously, CWU was one of the GNAC schools that decided not to play basketball amid COVID-19 restrictions.
Now the Wildcats, whose roster includes Prairie graduate Cassidy Gardner and La Center graduate Taylor Stephens, will play four games, two each against Seattle Pacific and St. Martin’s.
“We are very excited and grateful for the opportunity to compete this year,” CWU coach Randi Richardson-Thornley said. “Our players have done an outstanding job of controlling what they can and staying positive through these uncertain times. I couldn’t be prouder of how they have handled this year and kept their perspective bigger than themselves.”
The Wildcats begin with back-to-back games against Seattle Pacific on Feb. 26 in Ellensburg and Feb. 27 in Seattle.
