Roberts, Lake advance in doubles, Valkyrie tennis battles back at divisionals
By FAITH MOLDAN
Bigfork Eagle
Owen Roberts, one half of Bigfork’s No. 1 boys’ doubles team, has a chance to improve upon his second place finish from last year.
Roberts and doubles partner Kainoa Lake played well enough in the Western A Divisional Tennis Tournament to advance to the state tournament in Miles City today through Saturday. Roberts and Joe Wolstein finished last year’s state tournament in second place.
Roberts and Lake breezed through their first round match against Libby’s Derek McKenzey and Jesse Ramos. The Vikings beat the Loggers 6-1, 6-1. Bigfork faced Stefan McCrumb and Steven Roberts in the quarterfinals and topped the team from Polson 6-1, 6-1 as well.
Whitefish’s Kyle Jacobson and Brendan Viscomi stopped Roberts’ and Lake’s winning, defeating the Vikes in a close match 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).
“The Whitefish boys were dominant,” Bigfork coach Paul Wallin said. “We knew that going into the tournament.”
In the consolation bracket, Roberts and Lake faced familiar opponents — their own teammates Travis Boughton and Scott Taylor.
Boughton and Taylor started the tournament strong as well. They won their first round match against Cyrus Maloney and Chris Schnackenberg of Libby 6-2, 6-1, but lost their quarterfinal match against Cody Maynard and Grant Getts of Columbia Falls 6-4, 7-5.
Boughton and Taylor faced teammates Jordan Sabo and Dylan Richmond in their first consolation bracket match. Boughton and Taylor won that match 6-1, 6-2 before losing to Roberts and Lake in a long three-set match. Roberts and Lake won 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2).
“Those are always tough,” Bigfork coach Matt Porrovecchio said. “Both teams wanted to go to state.”
Bigfork’s Bridger Mahlum and Tyler Butts also played each other during divisionals. Both won their first matches of the tournament, but dropped into the consolation bracket and played each other in quarterfinal play. Butts won 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4).
Butts moved on to the semifinals, as did David Meyers. Butts lost his match to Libby’s Hunter Sheffield 6-1, 6-4. Meyers beat Whitefish’s Chase Pierce 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) before falling to consolation champion Ian Hosek of Whitefish 6-2, 6-0.
The Vikes took second as a team with 32 points.
“We had some nice results with our younger players,” Wallin said.
The Montana Class A tennis tournament begins at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 24 in Miles City.
Bigfork High School’s No. 1 girls’ doubles team suffered a bad break of sorts in its championship match Saturday, May 19.
Quindee Averill and Roxy Thurman worked their way through the girls’ doubles bracket at the Western A Tennis Divisionals in Kalispell, winning all but their final match. Averill lost her doubles partner that match as well, as Thurman broke her leg going after the ball. Teammate Jen Wirth will take Thurman’s place at the state tournament in Miles City this week.
“They did pretty well,” Bigfork coach Matt Porrovecchio said. Thurman played on despite her injury, getting a couple of shots past her and Averill’s opponents in the championship match.
Averill and Thurman began the tournament defeating Polson’s Cassie Ward and AnJuli Campbell 6-4, 6-3. In the quarterfinals they beat another Polson team — Mattea York and Kelsie Delaney. The Vals beat the Lady Pirates in sets one and three 6-1, 6-4, respectively.
Their two wins pitted the Vals against Whitefish’s Kate Whitaker and Kimberly McIntyre in the semifinals. Bigfork won 6-3, 6-4. During the first game of the second set against Cali Hislop and Malika Erickson of Polson, Thurman’s leg broke. The pair took second place at divisionals and advance on to play in Miles City May 24-26.
Also advancing to the state tournament is senior Breanna Hughes.
With a bye the first round, Hughes started play the second round against Stephanie Bertsch. Hughes defeated the Lady Pirate 6-0, 6-1. She went on to top Sarah Marcille of Columbia Falls in the quarterfinals Friday, losing the first set but coming back strong to win 6-4, 7-5 in the final sets.
Brielle Menegazzi beat Hughes in the semifinals 6-2, 6-2. The loss moved Hughes to the consolation bracket where she beat Emily Pyles of Polson. Hughes won the first set in a tiebreaker 7-6 (7-1) and 6-0 in the second. Marcille, who Hughes had previously beat in divisional play, got her revenge on Hughes in the consolation championship match. Marcille beat Hughes 6-1, 6-1.
Linda Xin was the other Val still standing during Saturday’s final rounds of play. She blanked Ashley Gullo of Eureka 6-0, 6-0 in the second round after a bye in the first round. Xin suffered her first loss in the quarterfinals to eventual champion Jackie Mee of Libby 6-3, 6-0.
Xin topped Mee’s teammate Julia Michalczak in the consolation bracket. Xin won 6-2, 6-2. She then exited the tournament, losing to Pyles 6-2, 6-1.
The Vals finished divisionals fourth, just one point behind third place Libby with 30 points.
“I thought we had a good tournament,” Bigfork coach Paul Wallin said. “The team improved immensely throughout the season.”
The Montana Class A tennis tournament begins at 8 a.m. Thursday, May 24 in Miles City.
Girls
Singles
First Round
Sasha Trudeau, Eureka, def. Ariana Shults, Bigfork, 6-4, 6-3; Erika Mole, Polson, def. Stephanie Raymond, Columbia Falls, 7-5, 6-3; Sierra McCartney, Whitefish. def. Casey Armstrong, Eureka, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3; Stephanie Bertsch, Polson, def. Audra Poppen, Libby, 6-2, 6-0; Julia Michalczak, Libby, def. Lisa Kelsey, Bigfork, 6-2, 6-4; Mariah Driscoll, Whitefish, def. Shelby Hobbs, Columbia Falls, 6-0,6-0; Ashley Gullo, Eureka, def. Laura Burgi, Columbia Falls, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4; Lexi Cline, Polson, def. Ellie Opel, Whitefish, 7-5, 6-3.
Second Round
Brielle Menegazzi, Whitefish, def. Trudeau 6-0, 6-0; Varonica Cislo, Libby, def. Mole 6-3, 6-4; Sarah Marcille, Columbia Falls, def. McCartney 7-5, 6-2; Breanna Hughes, Bigfork, def. Bertsch 6-0, 6-1; Emily Pyles, Polson, def. Michalczak 6-0, 6-1; Driscoll def. Briann Linnell, Eureka, 6-0, 6-0; Linda Xin, Bigfork, def. Gullo 6-0, 6-0; Jackie Mee, Libby, def. Cline 6-1, 6-1.
Doubles
First Round
Marni Zauner/Tayler Holder, Eureka, def. Lydia Freeman/Charli Dobson, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 6-0; Cassie Ward/AnJuli Campbell, Polson, def. Jourdan Wood/Katie Horelick, Libby, 6-4, 6-3.
Girls
Singles
Quarterfinals
Brielle Menegazzi, Whitefish, def. Varonica Cislo, Libby, 6-2, 6-1; Breanna Hughes, Bigfork, def. Sarah Marcille, Columbia Falls, 4-6, 6-4, 7-5; Mariah Driscoll, Whitefish, def. Emily Pyles, Polson, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2; Jackie Mee, Libby, def. Linda Xiu, Bigfork, 6-3, 6-0.
Consolation
Erika Mole, Polson, def. Ariana Shults, Bigfork, 6-2, 6-0; Sasha Trudeau, Eureka, def. Stephanie Raymond, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 6-4; Casey Armstrong, Eureka, def. Stephanie Bertsch, Polson, 6-1, 6-4; Sierra McCartney, Whitefish, def. Audra Poppen, Libby, 6-1, 6-0; Briann Linnell, Eureka, def. Lisa Kelsey, Bigfork, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3; Julia Michalczak, Libby, def. Shelby Hobbs, Columbia Falls, 4-6, 6-0, 6-3; Lexi Cline, Polson, def. Laura Burgi, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 6-0; Ellie Opel, Whitefish, def. Ashley Gullo, Eureka, 6-3, 6-2; Erika Mole, Polson, def. Sasha Trudeau, Eureka, 6-4, 6-2; Casey Armstrong, Eureka, def. Sierra McCartney, Whitefish, 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5); Julia Michalczak, Libby, def. Briann Linnell, Eureka, 6-4, 7-5; Ellie Opel, Whitefish, def. Lexi Cline, Polson, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4; Sarah Marcille, Columbia Falls, def. Erika Mole, Polson, 6-2, 6-3; Varonica Cislo, Libby, def. Casey Armstrong, Eureka, 6-1, 6-1; Linda Xiu, Bigfork, def. Julia Michalczak, Libby, 6-2, 6-2; Emily Pyles, Polson, def. Ellie Opel, Whitefish, 6-1, 6-0.
Doubles
Second Round
Cali Hislop/Malika Erickson, Polson, def. Marni Zauner/Tayler Holder, Eureka, 6-0, 6-0; Michelle Maddock/McCara Cullen, Whitefish, def. Jade Bosic/Kelly Deaton, Bigfork, 6-4, 6-2; Martina Quade/Heather Landi, Eureka, def. Margeaux Zwang/Anna Valentine, Libby, 6-2, 6-2; Chelsey Wilson/Jessica Ferretti, Columbia Falls, def. Kate Klundt/Kelsey McCluskey, Whitefish, 4-6, 6-2, 6-2; Kate Whitaker/Kimberly McIntyre, Whitefish, def. Cassie Keller/Nicolette Petterson, Bigfork, 6-0, 6-2; Nichole Newman/Riley Dining, Libby, def. KaeDee Shay/Brianna Lundberg, Eureka, 6-0, 2-6, 6-4; Mattea York/Kelsie Delaney, Polson, def. Michelle Cronquist/Carrie Hopkins, Columbia Falls, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4; Quindee Averill/Roxy Thurman, Bigfork, def. Cassie Ward/AnJuli Campbell, Polson, 6-4, 6-3.
Quarterfinals
Cali Hislop/Malika Erickson, Polson, def. Michelle Maddock/McCara Cullen, Whitefish, 6-1, 6-0; Martina Quade/Heather Landi, Eureka, def. Chelsey Wilson/Jessica Ferretti, Columbia Falls, 6-2, 6-0; Kate Whitaker/Kimberly McIntyre, Whitefish, def. Nichole Newman/Riley Dining, Libby, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1; Quindee Averill/Roxy Thurman, Bigfork, def. Mattea York/Kelsie Delaney, Polson, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
Consolation
Jade Bosic/Kelly Deaton, Bigfork, def. Lydia Freeman/Charli Dobson, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 6-2; Michelle Cronquist/Carrie Hopkins, Columbia Falls, def. Jourdan Wood/Katie Horelick, Libby, 6-1, 6-2; Marni Zauner/Tayler Holder, Eureka, def. Jade Bosic/Kelly Deaton, Bigfork, 6-3, 6-3; Kate Klundt/Kelsey McCluskey, Whitefish, def. Margeaux Zwang/Anna Valentine, Libby, 6-4, 6-3; KaeDee Shay/Brianna Lundberg, Eureka, def. Cassie Keller/Nicolette Petterson, Bigfork, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3; Cassie Ward/AnJuli Campbell, Polson, def. Michelle Cronquist/Carrie Hopkins, Columbia Falls, 6-0, 3-6, 6-4; Marni Zauner/Tayler Holder, Eureka, def. Chelsey Wilson/Jessica Ferretti, Columbia Falls, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; Michelle Maddock/McCara Cullen, Whitefish, def. Kate Klundt/Kelsey McCluskey, Whitefish, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1; Mattea York/Kelsie Delaney, Polson, def. KaeDee Shay/Brianna Lundberg, Eureka, 6-0, 6-3; Cassie Ward/AnJuli Campbell, Polson, def. Nichole Newman/Riley Dining, Libby, 6-4, 6-2.
Girls
Team Totals
1. Polson 46
2. Whitefish 45
3. Libby 31
4. Bigfork 30
5. Eureka 22
6. Columbia Falls 16
Singles
Semifinals
Brielle Menegazzi, Whitefish, def. Breanna Hughes, Bigfork, 6-2, 6-2; Jackie Mee, Libby, def. Mariah Driscoll, Whitefish, 7-6 (7-5), 7-5.
Championship
Jackie Mee, Libby, def. Brielle Menegazzi, Whitefish, 6-3, 6-2.
Consolation
Sarah Marcille, Columbia Falls, def. Varonica Cislo, Libby, 6-2, 6-3; Emily Pyles, Polson, def. Linda Xiu, Bigfork, 6-2, 6-1; Sarah Marcille, Columbia Falls, def. Mariah Driscoll, Whitefish, 6-2, 6-3; Breanna Hughes, Bigfork, def. Emily Pyles, Polson, 7-6 (7-1), 6-0.
Consolation Championship
Sarah Marcille, Columbia Falls, def. Breanna Hughes, Bigfork, 6-1, 6-1.
Doubles
Semifinals
Cali Hislop/Malika Erickson, Polson, def. Martina Quade/Heather Landi, Eureka, 6-1, 6-0; Quindee Averill/Roxy Thurman, Bigfork, def. Kate Whitaker/Kimberly McIntyre, Whitefish, 6-3, 6-4.
Championship
Cali Hislop/Malika Erickson, Polson, def. Quindee Averill/Roxy Thurman, Bigfork, inj. def.
Consolation
Michelle Maddock/McCara Cullen, Whitefish, def. Marni Zauner/Tayler Holder, Eureka, 6-2, 7-5; Mattea York/Kelsie Delaney, Polson, def. Cassie Ward/AnJuli Campbell, Polson, 6-2, 6-4; Kate Whitaker/Kimberly McIntyre, Whitefish, def. Michelle Maddock/McCara Cullen, Whitefish, 6-3, 7-5; Mattea York/Kelsie Delaney, Polson, def. Martina Quade/Heather Landi, Eureka, 7-5, 6-3.
Consolation Championship
Kate Whitaker/Kimberly McIntyre, Whitefish, def. Mattea York/Kelsie Delaney, Polson, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.
Western A
Divisional Tournament
Thursday
Boys
Singles
First Round
Bridger Mahlum, Bigfork, def. Devon Iverson, Columbia Falls, 6-3, 7-6(7-5); Ky Simshaw, Polson, def. Nate Broden, Libby, 6-1, 6-3; Chase Pierce, Whitefish, def. Seth Hovenkotter, Polson, 6-0, 6-2; Weston Bartkowski, Columbia Falls, def. Cody Ercanbrack, Libby 7-6(7-1), 6-3.
Second Round
Matt Harris, Whitefish, def. Mahlum 6-0, 6-0; Hunter Sheffield, Libby, def. Matt Roberts, Polson, 6-4, 6-2; Tyler Butts, Bigfork, def. Scott Hopkins, Columbia Falls, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0; Ian Hosek, Whitefish, def. Simshaw 6-0, 6-2; Steven Hauck, Libby, def. Pierce 6-2, 6-2; David Myers, Bigfork, def. Billy Garcia, Columbia Falls, 7-5, 6-3; Sean Barrett, Bigfork, def. Tyler Engebretson, Polson, 6-3, 6-2; Ryan Rottenbiller, Whitefish, def. Bartkowski 6-0, 6-0.
Doubles
First Round
Scott Johnson/Lucas Peace, Whitefish, def. Jordan Sabo/Dylan Richmond, Bigfork, 6-2, 6-0; Travis Boughton/Scott Taylor, Bigfork, def. Cyrus Maloney/Chris Schnackenberg, Libby, 6-2, 6-1; Cody Maynard/Grant Getts, Columbia Falls, def. Matt Whitehead/Zacariah Diester, Whitefish, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3; Kyle Jacobson/Brendan Viscomi, Whitefish, def. Kyle Cooper/Joe Allik, Polson, 6-0, 6-2; Nick Broden/Neil Young, Libby, def. Ian Gordon/Eric Schaeffer, Columbia Falls, 6-3, 6-4; Stefan McCrumb/Steven Roberts, Polson, def. Jake Ronish/Wesley Jacson, Columbia Falls, 6-4, 6-3; Owen Roberts/Kainoa Lake, Bigfork, def. Derek McKinzey/Jesse Ramos, Libby, 6-1, 6-1.
Friday
Boys
Singles
Quarterfinals
Matt Harris, Whitefish, def. Hunter Sheffield, Libby, 6-0, 6-0; Ian Hosek, Whitefish, def. Tyler Butts, Bigfork, 6-0, 6-1; Steven Hauck, Libby, def. David Myers, Bigfork, 6-2, 6-1; Ryan Rottenbiller, Whitefish, def. Sean Barrett, Bigfork, 6-0, 6-0.
Consolation
Matt Roberts, Polson, def. Devon Iverson, Columbia Falls, 6-1, 6-1; Scott Hopkins, Columbia Falls, def. Nate Broden, Libby, 6-1, 6-4; Billy Garcia, Columbia Falls, def. Seth Hovenkotter, Polson, 6-4, 6-1; Tyler Engebretson, Polson, def. Cody Ercanbrack, Libby, 6-2, 6-1; Bridger Mahlum, Bigfork, def. Matt Roberts, Polson, 6-1, 6-1; Scott Hopkins, Columbia Falls, def. Ky Simshaw, Polson, 6-4, 6-0; Chase Pierce, Whitefish, def. Billy Garcia, Columbia Falls, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2); Tyler Engebretson, Polson, def. Weston Bartkowski, Columbia Falls, 6-2, 6-2; Tyler Butts, Bigfork, def. Bridger Mahlum, Bigfork, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4); Hunter Sheffield, Libby, def. Scott Hopkins, Columbia Falls, 6-4, 6-0; Chase Pierce, Whitefish, def. Sean Barrett, Bigfork, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5); David Myers, Bigfork, def. Tyler Engebretson, Polson, 7-5, 6-1.
Doubles
Quarterfinals
Jake Grebetz/Karston Erickson, Poson, def. Scott Johnson/Lucas Peace, Whitefish, 6-4, 6-4; Cody Maynard/Grant Getts, Columbia Falls, def. Travis Boughton/Scott Taylor, Bigfork, 6-4, 7-5; Kyle Jacobson/Brendan Viscomi, Whitefish, def. Nick Broden/Neil Young, Libby, 6-0, 6-2; Owen Roberts/Kainoa Lake, Bigfork, def. Stefan McCrumb/Steven Roberts, Polson, 6-1, 6-1.
Consolation
Matt Whitehead/Zachariah Diester, Whitefish, def. Cyrus Maloney/Chris Schnackenberg, Libby, 6-3, 1-6, 6-2; Kyle Cooper/Joe Allik, Polson, def. Ian Gordon/Eric Schaeffer, Columbia Falls, 6-4, 6-2; Jake Ronish/Wesley Jackson, Columbia Falls, def. Derek McKinzey/Jesse Ramos, Libby, 6-0, 6-3; Travis Boughton/Scott Taylor, Bigfork, def. Jordan Sabo/Dylan Richmond, Bigfork, 6-1, 6-2; Scott Johnson/Lucas Peace, Whitefish, def. Matt Whitehead/Zachariah Diester, Whitefish, 6-4, 6-7 (2-7), 6-4; Stefan McCrumb/Steven Roberts, Polson, def. Kyle Cooper/Joe Allik, Polson, 6-4, 6-2; Jake Ronish/Wesley Jackson, Columbia Falls, def. Nick Broden/Neil Young, Libby, 7-5, 6-3.
Saturday
Boys
Team Totals
1. Whitefish 64
2. Bigfork 32
3. Polson 25
4. Libby 17
5. Columbia Falls 15
Individual Results
Singles
Semifinals
Matt Harris, Whitefish, def. Ian Hosek, Whitefish, 6-1, 7-5; Ryan Rottenbiller, Whitefish, def. Steven Hauck, Libby, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2.
Championship
Matt Harris, Whitefish, def. Ryan Rottenbiller, Whitefish, 6-4, 6-0.
Consolation
Hunter Sheffield, Libby, def. Tyler Butts, Bigfork, 6-1, 6-4; David Myers, Bigfork, def. Chase Pierce, Whitefish, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3); Steven Hauck, Libby, def. Hunter Sheffield, Libby, 6-3, 6-1; Ian Hosek, Whitefish, def. David Myers, Bigfork, 6-2, 6-0.
Consolation Championship
Ian Hosek, Whitefish, def. Steven Hauck, Libby, 6-2, 6-3.
Doubles
Semifinals
Jake Grebetz/Karston Erickson, Polson, def. Cody Maynard/Grant Getts, Columbia Falls, 6-2, 6-4; Kyle Jacobson/Brendan Viscomi, Whitefish, def. Owen Roberts/Kainoa Lake, Bigfork, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3).
Championship
Jake Grebetz/Karston Erickson, Polson, def. Kyle Jacobson/Brendan Viscomi, Whitefish, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Consolation
Travis Boughton/Scott Taylor, Bigfork, def. Scott Johnson/Lucas Peace, Whitefish, 6-2, 7-5; Jake Ronish/Wesley Jackson, Columbia Falls, def. Stefan McCrumb/Steven Roberts, Polson, 6-2, 6-3; Owen Roberts/Kainoa Lake, Bigfork, def. Travis Boughton/Scott Taylor, Bigfork, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-2); Cody Maynard/Grant Getts, Columbia Falls, def. Jake Ronish/Wesley Jackson, Columbia Falls, 6-4, 6-2.
Consolation Championship
Owen Roberts/Kainoa Lake, Bigfork, def. Cody Maynard/Grant Getts, Columbia Falls, 6-4, 6-4.