Von Schweinitz,

Marcille sisters solid at state

By JOHN VAN VLEET

Hungry Horse News

Somehow, both Columbia Falls qualifiers in the Class A State Tennis Tournament ran into the eventual state champions.

The thing is, both faced off against them in the first round.

Friedrich Von Schweinitz, the first boy from Columbia Falls to make it to state, took on four-time state champion Kyle Baltrusch from Havre and lost in straight sets 1-6, 2-6.

In his next match, Von Schweinitz took on Corvallis' Chris Payne and won 6-3, 6-4.

Against Polson's Andy Dykstra, Von Schweinitz lost 7-5, 2-6, 4-6 but improved upon his loss to Dykstra earlier in the season.

Coach Jerry Smalley praised Von Schweinitz' effort.

"I'm really proud of the way Friedrich stepped up his game in Lewiston," he said. "He belonged there. Against Dykstra earlier in the year, Friedrich won only two games, so to stretch him to three sets at state was awesome."

The Marcille sisters also squared off against the eventual champs in girls doubles, losing to Fergus County's Devon Nelson and Alira Carpenter 1-6, 1-6.

In the next match against Dillon's Samantha Cypher and Darcy McDougal, the Marcilles won 6-4, 6-2.

Their strong play continued against Stevensville's Alicia Jessop and Emma Loughlin, winning 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, and against Glendive's Cienna Nielson and Mariah Linn, the girls won again 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

The string of good play ran out as the girls eventually lost to Livingston's Meghan Foote and Agnes Kesting 1-6, 6-2, 1-6.

Smalley said he was also pleased with the sisters' play.

"The more Kate and Sarah played together, the stronger they played," he said. "Kate had state experience from last year and she did a great job encouraging her younger sister. I think the Marcille sisters have a very strong chance of finishing in the top four next year."