Tennis squads split against rival Flathead

The Columbia Falls tennis teams split the bill last week against Flathead away.

The girls won 6-2 while the boys lost, 5-3.

Highlights included Molly Schmit, who continued her unbeaten streak in No. 1 singles, dropping Katie Stobie 6-1, 6-1 for the Wildkats. Anna Pickard also picked up a win for the Kats in No. 4 singles, dropping Kori Mooney 6-4, 6-4.

The squad swept in the doubles matches. Megan McCallum and Kayla Nicol dropped Tess Huckeba and Olivia Mohatt 6-1, 6-0; Taylor Kellar and Paige Lozeau beat Delani Long and Maisie Hansen 9-7; Katy Garate and Shaelynn Turk beat Kenzi Griffin and Mallory Slaten 6-3, 6-3; and Taylor Jarrett and Kayla Nicol beat Keah Liebig and Katie Stobie 9-7.

The boys were led by Patrick Tillman, who dropped Kiegan Snider 1-6, 6-2, 7-3 in No. 3 singles.

“It was a very emotional day because we learned the news about Paxton Fisher just after the kids had taken the court,” said girls’ coach Gene Marcille. “Because of rain delays, kids were faced with going back out to finish with extremely heavy hearts. I left it totally up to them, but almost all of them regrouped and finished. We’ve been talking a lot about Columbia Falls values at school, and these kids were put to the test in a big way and really came through. I couldn’t be prouder of all of our kids.”

Boys coach Michele Colliander was also pleased with the team’s progress.

“I see improvement for every person on the team in serves, volleys and ground strokes. We have a very young team with over half of the boys just starting to play tennis this year. Our No. 1 singles, John Gilk, is only a sophomore so in two years, watch out. We will be a force to reckon with. For now, we are concentrating on learning the skills to make great tennis players. The boys are just starting to win and I can feel the momentum building for our team. It is only a matter of time.”

The squads were also supposed to play Glacier, but because of Fisher’s death and poor weather, the team decided to cancel the match.

Flathead-Columbia Falls Dual

Tuesday

Flathead Valley CC, Kalispell

Boys

Flathead 5, Columbia Falls 3

Singles — Ridge Lembke, F, def. John Gilk 6-4, 6-2; Ethan Hawkins, F, def. Chris Howell 6-4, 6-3; Patrick Tillman, CF, def. Kiegan Snider 1-6, 6-2, 7-3; Garrett Caffrey, CF, def. Scott O’Donnell 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles — Rydell Welk/Nick Buenz, F, def. Jayden Wirkus/ Caleb Fleury 6-4, 6-1; Garrett Regoli/Will Taylor-Lewellyn, F, def. Camryn Lingle/K.J. Arends 4-6, 6-3,10-7; Alex Naglich/David Marburger, F, def. Bobby Dewbre/Tristan Grein 6-4, 6-4; Dillon Washington/Camryn Klintworth, CF, def. Liam Crowley/Paul Harms 6-2, 7-6, 10-8.

Girls

Columbia Falls 6, Flathead 2

Singles — Molly Schmit, CF, def. Katie Stobie 6-1, 6-1; Lauren McCarter, F, def. Sammi Mueller 6-1,6-1; Sierra Dilworth, F, def. Brianna Kirby 6-3, 6-3; Anna Pickard, CF, def. Kori Mooney 6-4,6-4.

Doubles — Megan McCallum/Kayla Nicol, CF, def. Tess Huckeba/Olivia Mohatt 6-1, 6-0; Taylor Kellar/Paige Lozeau, CF, def. Delani Long/Maisie Hansen 9-7; Katy Garate/Shaelynn Turk, CF, def. Kenzi Griffin/Mallory Slaten 6-3, 6-3; Taylor Jarrett/Kayla Nicol, CF, def. Keah Liebig/Katie Stobie 9-7.