C-Falls netters qualify four for state tourney
Neils Getts returns a serve against Ronan’s Colby Delvin at Western A Divisional Tennis Tournament at FVCC Wednesday. (Jeremy Weber photo)
Niels Getts hits a backhand shot against Ronan’s Colby Delvin at Western A Divisional Tennis Tournament at FVCC Wednesday. (Jeremy Weber photo)
Hannah Schweikert makes a lunging play on the ball against Whitefish’s Lauren Brown in the first round Wednesday. (Jeremy Weber photo)
Hannah Schweikert takes on Whitefish’s Lauren Brown in the first round of the Western A Divisional Tennis Tournament at FVCC Wednesday. (Jeremy Weber photo)
Hannah Schweikert makes a lunging play on the ball against Whitefish’s Lauren Brown in the first round of the Western A Divisional Tennis Tournament at FVCC Wednesday. (Jeremy Weber photo)
Four member of the Columbia Falls High School tennis teams will be in action at the state tournament this weekend after earning top-four finishes at the divisional tournament in Kalispell.
Top girls singles player Hannah Schweikert had the best finish for the Kats, taking second after falling to Whitefish’s Gracie Smyley in a close finals match, 2-6, 6-4, 7-5.
“The championship match between Hannah and Gracie Smyley was probably the best match of the tournament,” head coach Gene Marcille said. “It was two strong competitors both playing at a very high level in an electric environment. I think we saw the beginning of a great rivalry.”
Neils Getts will be in action at the state tourney after battling his way to a fourth-place finish in boys singles play.
Getts won his first match in straight sets in the second round, after receiving a bye to open the tourney.
Getts got past Whitefish’s Carver Gilman in a tough battle in the third round, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 before falling to Bulldog Brendan Buls in the semi-finals, 6-1, 6-0.
Getts also came up short in the third-place match against Whitefish’s Jayce Cripe, falling 6-4, 6-2.
The doubles team of Camryn Lingle and John Gilk earned a second-place finish, winning their first three matches in straight sets before falling in the final.
The pair opened up the tourney with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Libby’s Ryan Collins and Tyler Serna before taking down Polson’s Michael Smith and Tai Schriver in the second round, 60-, 6-2.
Gilk and Lingle defeated Polson’s Anton LeftHand and Trevor Shultz 6-1, 6-2 in the third round before falling to Whitefish’s Mark Anderson and Colton Upton in the final, 6-2, 6-2.
Play at the state tournament will open at FVCC in Kalispell Thursday.
Elsewhere at the divisional tournament last week, Maria Vizcay defeated Polson’s Taylor Collinge in the first round before falling in the second round.
Taylor Jarrett and Katy Garate took down Libby’s Gabby Fantozzi and Annika Thorstenson before falling in the second round of girls doubles action while Cassidy Norick and Grace Gedlaman beat Ronan’s Courtnry Bourdon and Lavia Pretty on Top before also falling in the second round.
Norick and Gedlaman also picked up a win in the consolation bracket.