Tennis teams battle foul weather at season's start

The weather was decidedly unfriendly last week, with rain, wind and snow, but the Columbia Falls tennis teams still got some action in.

On April 11, the girls had their first full meet at home against Polson. Previous meets with Ronan and Whitefish were either rained out or went unrecorded because of the lack of players. Even the Polson matches were shortened due to rain.

Still, coach Jerry Smalley said the team is playing fairly well.

“I was very encouraged by the enthusiasm and quality of play by our girls tonight,” he said.

Emma Covill beat Polson’s Taylor Rost 6-2, 6-2 in No. 2 singles and the doubles team of Courtney Seward and Kiersten Wendt also notched a win, beating Polson’s Peton Anderson and Tegan Bauer, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.

All told, the Lady Pirates won 3-2. Singles players Emily Getts and McKenna Emmerich did not finish due to darkness and rain.

On the boys side, the Pirates had their way with the Cats, sweeping them in all matches. Chris Wittkamp’s match at No. 4 singles was stopped due to rain and darkness.

But both teams bounced back April 13, beating Stevensville by the same margin, 6-1. The girls lost to Hamilton, 5-2. The boys’ score was unavailable.

“I’m pleasantly surprised,” coach Gary Yee said. “Mason and Andrew are playing really well. They’re figuring out what they need to do to be competitive at No. 1 doubles. Caleb is getting mentally tougher and tougher.”

The weather was miserable at Stevensville and Hamilton, with wind and snow.

“I wouldn’t go fishing in weather this bad,” Smalley said.

Still, the doubles team of Courtney Seward and Kiersten Wendt asked the bus to stay so they could finish their match — and they won.

The teams have a full slate this week, with matches Tuesday after presstime against Libby, a match against Glacier and Flathead on Thursday, Dillon and Polson on Friday and then a tournament on Kalispell on Saturday.

Girls

Polson 3, Columbia Falls 2

Singles — Emma Covill, CF. def. Taylor Rost, P. 6-2, 6-3; Shannon Oakley, P. def. Hailey Sapa, CF 6-4, 6-2

Doubles — Karly Rochin and Mollybeth Hendricks, P. def. Micinze Christopherson and Gabby Keller, CF, 6-4, 6-0; Courtney Sweard and Kiersten Wendt, Cf, def. Peyton Anderson and Tegan Bauer, P. 6-3, 2-6, 6-3; Libby Clay and Shawna Oakley, P. def. Sonesta Billow and Bailee Brinton, 6-2, 6-0

Boys

Polson 6, Columbia Falls 0

Singles — Dylan McCrumb, P. Def. Caleb Baumann, CF, 7-5, 6-2; Brady Hislop, P. def. Logan Carr, CF, 6-0, 6-0; Thomas Crosby, P. Def. Casey Burghduff, CF, 6-7, 6-4, 6-1.

Doubles — Layne Zimmerman and Hayden Congdon, P. def. Andrew West and Mason Gedlaman, 6-3, 7-5; Tommy Mercer and Sam Kinzle, P. def. Gavin Thelan and Josh Potter, 6-4, 6-1; Jared Gallatin and Tyler Dupuis, P. def. Zayne Brunz and Trystan Butcher, 6-0, 6-2

Girls

Columbia Falls 6, Stevensville 1

Singles – Emily Getts, CF, def. Marsadiez Leese, 6-1, 7-6 (1); Emma Covill, CF, def. LaKota Brist, 6-1, 6-0; Hailey Sopa, CF, def. Allison Enzler, 6-3, 6-3; McKenna Emmerich, CF, def. Fernanda Clerici, 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles – Gabby Keller/Micinze Christopherson, CF, def. Rachel Coyle/Katelin Hancock, 7-5, 6-4; Courtney Seward/Kiersten Wendt, CF, def. Jennifer Harthan/Maddie Hebner, 6-1, 6-1; Maddie Hebner/Marsadiez Leese, S, def. Sonesta Billow/Bailee Brinton, 6-4, 6-3.

Boys

Stevensville 6, Columbia Falls 1

Singles – Curtis Liston, S, def. Caleb Baumann, 7-6 (4), 6-2; Joseph Fecteau, S, def. Chris Whittcamp, 6-2, 6-0; Ivan Martino, S, def. Casey Burgduff, 6-0, 6-2; Michael Tummarello, S, def. Login Carr, 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles – Andrew West/Mason Gedlaman, CF, def. Schmidt/Weber, 6-3, 6-1; Corbin Disney/Lars Larson, S, def. Josh Potter/Gavin Thelen, 2-6, 6-3, 6-0; Colton Belcourt/Levi Casman, S, def. Evan Wells/Zayne Brunz, 6-2, 6-1.

Girls

Hamilton, 5, Columbia Falls 2

Singles — Erica Huppert, H., def. Emily Getts, 6-2, 6-2; Hannah Peterson, H. def. Emma Covill, 6-0, 6-0; Sadie Silva, H. def. Hailey Sapa, 6-3, 7-5; McKenna Emmerich, CF. def. Hannah Grable, 1-6, 6-0, 6-3.

Doubles — Gina Schmit/Jill Toens, H. def. Gabby Keller/Micinze Christopherson, 6-4, 6-2; Courtney Seward/Kiersten Wendt, CF. def. Minica Casbara/Melissa Dowdy, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4; Beth Bitterman/Rachel Grimes, H. def. Sonesta Billow/Bailee Brinton, 7-5, 4-6, 6-1.