Johnson and Zvyagelskiy improve at doubles
<p>Wildcat Mason Gedlaman returns serve in doubles last week against Glacier High School.</p>
The Columbia Falls boys tennis team lost to Libby and Glacier high schools last week, but the doubles team of Parker Johnson and Miroslav Zvyagelskiy continue to get better.
The pair beat Libby’s Ian Myslicki and Lane Luscher, 6-2, 7-6 (2), on April 17 and then defeated Glacier’s Danny Roe and Evan Froystad, 6-3, 6-2, on April 19.
Coach Gary Yee first paired them in doubles a little more than a week ago.
The duo also did well at the Flathead Invitational on Saturday, tying for third. Their only loss was to the Class AA Missoula Hellgate team of Lee Fritsen and Dylan Harvala, 6-3, 6-3. Fristsen and Harvala are considered the best AA tennis doubles pair in the state, Yee said.
The pair went on to beat Glacier’s Ryan Edwards and Ryan Schmauch, 6-2, 6-2, and then Glacier’s Roe and Froystad, 3-6, 6-3, 1-0 (5).
It turned dark during the third place match against Missoula Sentinel’s Ryan Halligan and Austin Violette, and players couldn’t see the ball. The match ended tied 4-4, Yee said.
“They’re working well together and they continue to improve,” Yee said.
Brian Marcille also had a solid tourney at No. 1 singles, going 1-2. Marcille lost to Missoula Hellgate’s Will Ballew, 6-4, 6-2, and then beat Missoula Sentinel’s Michael Thomas, 7-6 (7), 5-7, 10-1. Marcille next lost to Hellgate’s Paul Wrobel, 6-4, 6-4.
The Cats have no scheduled matches this week. They next play Polson on May 5.
Libby 4, Columbia Falls 3
Singles - Jason Schnackenberg, L, ,def. Brian Marcille, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4; Andrew West, CF, def. Dan Leggins, 1-6, 7-5, 6-4; Andrew Smith, L, def. Caleb Baumann, 2-6, 6-0, 6-4; Pat Valentine, L, def. Josh Potters, 6-4, 6-2.
Doubles - Parker Johnson/Miroslav Zvyagelskiy, CF, def. Ian Myslicki/Lane Luscher, 6-2, 7-6 (2); Mason Gedlaman/Gavin Thelan, CF, def. Josh Broderick/Rob Hamilton, 6-3, 6-4; Jake Reny/Adam Kirschenmann, L, def. Bailey Griffith/Wyatt Wollenzein, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (3).
Glacier 6, Columbia Falls 2
Singles: Kellen Bates (G) def. Brian Marcille 6-1, 6-0; Hunter Blalack (G) def. Andrew West 6-0, 6-0; Orson Phattharaampornchai (G) def. Josh Potter 6-3, 6-0; Caleb Baumann (CF) def. Brad Jones 6-1, 6-2.
Doubles: Miroslav Zvyagelskiy/Parker Johnson (CF) def. Danny Roe/Evan Froystad 6-3, 6-2; Ryan Edwards/Ryan Schmauch (G) def. Mason Gedlaman/Gavin Thelan 6-1, 6-1; Logan Iverson/Andy Boyer (G) def. Wyatt Wollenzein/Mike Sandefer 6-0, 6-1; Ryan Porch/Robbie Krueger (G) def. Chris Wittkamp/Jackson Barta 6-0, 6-0.