Bigfork High School tennis teams record wins in Columbia Falls

By FAITH MOLDAN / Bigfork Eagle

The Vikes and Vals looked to be in top form against Columbia Falls on Saturday, which bodes well for them as the season will soon be drawing to a close.

Bigfork's boys edged out the Wildcats 4-3, while the Vals topped the Wildkats 6-1.

"It was a nice day. Overall, the kids played well," Bigfork coach Matt Porrovecchio said.

A number of the Vals played out of position, as Bigfork's No. 1 doubles team of Roxy Thurman and Quindee Averill did not play. Nicolette Peterson and Jen Wirth stepped up to fill the No. 1 doubles spot and came out with a three-set win 6-2, 4-6, 6-2. Also playing up a spot were Cassie Lepper and Hannah Barrett. The pair got the best of Franki Anderson and Stephanie Raymond, also going three sets. The Vals won 6-3, 5-7, 7-5.

Jade Bosic and Ariana Shults notched wins in the No. 2 and 3 singles positions. Bosic defeated Columbia Falls' Sara Lueken 6-1 in both sets and Shults won 6-1, 6-0 over Lexie Bartokoski.

The Vikes slipped just a little this time around against the Wildcats. Bigfork beat Columbia Falls 5-2 earlier in the season.

Philipe Meyers and Bridger Mahlum repeated their previous wins over the Cats on Saturday. Meyers won 6-2 in both sets over Jake Ronish, while Mahlum topped Billy Garcia 6-3, 6-1.

Sean Barrett and Jordan Sabo, who both notched singles wins in their last go-around, teamed up to topple Joel Ballard and Brad Wyman 6-3, 6-1.

Tyler Butts and Scott Taylor avenged their early-season loss to the Cats. The duo blanked Weston Bartkoski and Chen Gao 6-0, 6-0.

"I think we're pretty well established," Porrovecchio said. "We're still playing around with a couple of those spots because our conference is so tough and competitive."

Bigfork continues to work on its "team concept" with home matches against Whitefish and Libby to end the regular season. The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs come to Bigfork tomorrow, May 9, while the Loggers and Lady Loggers make the trek on Saturday. Tennis action begins at 4 p.m. on Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday.

Boys

Bigfork 4, Columbia Falls 3

SINGLES — Phillip Meyers, B, def. Jake Ronish, 6-2, 6-2; Bridger Mahlum, B, def. Billy Garcia, 6-3, 6-1; Cody Maynard, CF, def. Seth Gordon, 6-2, 6-2; Eric Schaeffer, CF, def. Ryan Gembala, 6-0, 6-4.

DOUBLES — Tyler Butts/Scott Tayler, B, def. Weston Bartkoski/Chen Gao, 6-0, 6-0; Sean Barrett/Jordan Sabo, B, def. Joel Ballard/Brad Wyman, 6-3, 6-1; Tim Spencer/Vadim Zvyagelskiy, CF, def. Evan Jordt/Cole Fancisco, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-1).

Girls

Bigfork 6, Columbia Falls 1

SINGLES — Sarah Marcille, CF, def. Kelly Deaton, 6-2, 6-0; Jade Bosic, B, def. Sara Lueken, 6-1, 6-1; Ariana Shults, B, def. Lexie Bartkoski, 6-1, 6-0; Lisa Kelcey, B, def. Marissa Getts, 6-3, 6-3.

DOUBLES — Nicolette Peterson/Jennifer Wirth, B, def. Shelby Hobbs/Laura Burgi, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2; Cassie Lepper/Hanna Barrett, B, def. Franki Anderson/Stephanie Raymond, 6-3, 5-7, 7-5; Clair Wilken/Logun Koch, B, def. Aysia Potter/Pepper Borland, 6-1, 6-2.