'Cat netters top Bigfork

All three doubles teams earned victories, propelling Columbia Falls to a 4-3 boys win over Bigfork in the Wildcats' home opener Monday.

Despite very windy and cold conditions, Tuesday was a very good day for the Wildcats on the Flathead Valley Community College courts against Class AA teams. They tied Glacier 4-4, and won five of seven matches against Flathead.

Two of the doubles duos — Grant Getts and Jake Ronish, and Scott Hopkins and Billy Garcia — did not lose a game in their matches in the Bigfork dual. Getts and Ronish swept Sean Barret and Ryan Gembala 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 1 spot. At No. 2, Hopkins and Garcia shut out Cole Francisco and Colter Mahlem 6-0, 6-0.

Playing as doubles partners for the first time, Tim Spencer and Jon Riffey beat Nate Robertson and John Lyon 6-3, 6-4 in the No. 3 slot.

"They rocked," C-Falls coach Gary Yee said of the Wildcat doubles teams. "They played really, really strong."

Miroslav Zvyagelskiy picked up a forfeit win at No. 4 singles.

"No. 1 singles was a pretty good match to watch," Yee said, as two left-handed players — Vadim Zvyagelskiy of C-Falls and Bridger Mahlum — battled. Mahlum won, 6-2, 6-0.

C-Falls swept the singles matches against Glacier. Results were: Grant Getts def. Scott Marvin, 6-0, 6-1; Jake Ronish def. Michael Boettcher, 6-1, 6-3; Vadim Zvyagelskiy def. John Patrick, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3; and Miroslav Zvyagelskiy def. Tyler Russell, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

The Wildcats won three of the four singles matches against Flathead. Vadim Zvyagelskiy swept Jordan Arnold, 6-3, 7-5; Brian Marcille shut out Shawn Lau, 6-0, 6-0; and Parker Johnson rallied past Cameron Levadence, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 10-3.

Doubles winners were Getts and Ronish over Miles Sorley and Cameron Worth, 6-2, 6-2; and Spencer and Riffey over Ryan Swelland and Tanner Beaman, 6-2, 6-2.

'Kats net win over Flathead

Columbia Falls put a girls tennis loss to Bigfork on Monday behind, posting a 6-2 victory over Class AA Flathead on Tuesday at the wind-blown Flathead Valley Community College courts. The Wildkats were blanked by Glacier 8-0 earlier in the day.

The Wildkats won three of the four singles matches and three of four doubles matches against Flathead. Earning wins were Lydia Freeman at No. 2 over Kenisha Himsl, 4-6, 6-3, 10-5 (pro set); Natalie Law at No. 3 over Annie Marshall, 6-2, 6-4; and Gabi Stenger over Kenlie Johnson, 6-6 (10-6), 6-4.

In No. 1 doubles, Stephanie Raymond and Shelby Hobby beat Sierra Donnely and McCall Smith in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2. Aysia Potter and Franki Anderson posted a 6-4, 6-2 win over Robin Walter and Lindsay Walter in the No. 3 spot. At No. 4, Pepper Borland and Cailey Philmon won 6-0 in a pro set over Lindsey Browne and Brea Downing.

"It feels sweet to pick up a win against Flathead," C-Falls coach Jerry Smalley said.

The coach said the Wildkats forfeited the No. 2 doubles match after a gust of wind blew Lexie Bartkoski's racket into her mouth and broke a tooth.

Law was the most competitive in the dual against Glacier. She won the second game against Mary Snipstead, but lost the deciding set, 6-4. Philmon and Borland were tough in a loss at No. 4 doubles.

"We continue to improve but we're so far behind due to lack of court time," Smalley said. "The weather has really dealt us a bad hand this year."

Bigfork swept C-Falls 7-0. Raymond and Hobbs won their first game in doubles, but Arianna Schultz and Jen Wirth took the next two.