Netters fall short in openers

The Columbia Falls tennis teams finally hit the courts last week with decidedly mixed results.

Against Bigfork on Thursday, the girls lost 6-1 and the boy were defeated 5-2.

Sarah Marcille picked up the lone win for the Kats, downing Kelly Deaton 8-3. A late snow forced some matches to eight-game sets.

On the boys side, the doubles team of Grant Getts and Jake Ronish beat Tyler Butts and Scott Taylor, 6-1, 6-2. Cody Maynard and George Kimerly beat Seth Gordon and Cole Francisco, 8-1.

Things got worse against Whitefish as the girls were blanked 7-0 and the boys lone winner was Tim Spencer, who beat Ian Cantrell, 6-1 6-2.

On Saturday, both the boys and girls lost to Libby, 5-2.

Ronish and Getts won in doubles, beating Cree and Cyrus Maloney, 6-3, 6-1, and Cody Maynard and George Kimerly beat Levi Edwards-Myslicki and Lewis Brossman, 6-1, 6-1.

On the girls side, Laura Burgi beat Audra Poppen, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, and Lexi Bartkoski beat Ashley Shaw 6-0, 6-2.

On Tuesday in girls action, Eureka topped the Kats, 6-1. Marcille won in split sets.

"Sarah found a way to win," coach Jerry Smalley said. "Our doubles play is improving."

There is some good news, however. The work on the new tennis courts should happen this week, if crews can get some decent weather for a few days in a row. Crews were expected to arrive Tuesday to begin putting in the new snap-together courts, city finance director Susan Nicosia said. The city is putting about $100,000 into the resurfacing of the courts.

The teams have been trying to practice and play on the old courts, which are in rough shape. This week they'll practice in away locations, boys coach Gary Yee said.

He said the boys team is focusing on getting as many players to state as possible — and with Whitefish being as strong as it is this year in singles, that means putting together some doubles teams.

He said the doubles teams will change this week, with Getts pairing up with Maynard and Ronish pairing up with Kimerly. Maynard and Getts made it to state last year.

Also of note, Spencer got the first win ever for the boys program against Whitefish. Yee was pleased with his effort.

Whitefish 7, Columbia Falls girls 0

Singles: Brielle Menegazzi (W) def. Sarah Marcille 4-6, 6-2, 6-4; Kate Klundt (W) def. Laura Burgi 6-0, 6-0; McCara Cullen (W) def. Lydia Freeman 6-0, 6-0, Courtney Wilder (W) def. Lexie Butkowski 6-2, 6-2.

Doubles: Steffi Osfand/Becca Rozar (W) def. Shelby Hobbs/Stephanie Raymond 6-4, 6-1; Chelsi Bergensmith/Ellie Opal (W) def. Frankie Anderson/Shiloh Knudsen 6-2, 6-3; Hannah Weaver/Almira Sekerci (W) def. Cassandra Sago/Pepper Borland 6-0, 6-0.

Whitefish 6, Columbia Falls boys 1

Singles: Matt Harra (W) def. Scott Hopkins 6-0, 6-0; Renzo Caimi (W) def. Billy Garcia 6-0 6-0, Tanner Hasek (W) Mark Johnson 6-0 6-0, Tim Spencer (CF) def. Ian Cantrell 6-1 6-2.

Doubles: Ian Hosek/Ryan Rottenbiller (W) def. Jake Roush/Grant Getts 6-1 6-4, Kyle Jacobson/Trey Lagrandere (W) def. Cody Maynard/George Kimerly 7-5 6-2; Matt Whitehead/Zachariah Deister (W) def. Jon Riffey/Joel Ballard 6-2, 6-0.

Bigfork 5, Columbia Falls boys 2

Singles — Philip Myers, B, def. Billy Garcia, 6-0, 6-0; Bridger Mahlum, B, def. Scott Hopkins, 6-0, 6-0; Sean Barret, B, def. Eric Schaffer, 8-3; Jordan Sabo, B, def. Joel Ballard, 6-3, 6-4.

Doubles — Grant Getts/Jake Ronish, CF, def. Tyler Butts/Scott Taylor, 6-1, 6-2; Cody Maynard/George Kimmerly, CF, def. Seth Gordon/Cole Francisco, 8-1; Evan Jordt/Ryan Gembala, B, def. Jon Riffey/Mark Johnson, 8-2.

Bigfork 6, Columbia Falls girls 1

Singles — Sarah Marcille, CF, def. Kelly Deaton, 8-3; Quindee Averill, B, def. Laura Burgi, 8-1; Roxy Thurman, B, def. Lydia Freeman, 8-0; Jade Bosic, B, def. Lexi Butkowski, 8-1.

Doubles — Nicolette Peterson/Jennifer Wirth, B, def. Shelby Hobbs/Steph Raymond, 8-3; Lisa Kelecy/Ariana Shults, B, def. Franki Anderson/Tyler Thompson, 8-1; Ann Marie Losee/Claire Wilken, B, def. Alysia Potter/Sara Lueken, 8-1.

Libby 5, Columbia Falls boys 2

Singles — Steven Hauck, L. def. Billy Garcia, 6-2, 6-3; Hunter Sheffield, L. Def. Scott Hopkins, 6-3, 6-1,; Chris Schenkenberg, L. def. Chen Gao, 6-3, 6-1; Nate Broden, L., def. Weston Bartkoski, 7-6 (7-) 3-6, 6-1.

Doubles — Ronish/Getts, CF. def. Cree and Cyrus Maloney, 6-3, 6-3; Cody Maynard/George Kimerly def. Levi Edwards/Lewis Brossman, 6-1, 6-0; Jesse Ramos/Cody Ercanbrack, L. def. Jon Riffey/Mark Johnson, 6-1, 6-1.

Libby 5, Columbia Falls girls 2

Singles — Jackie Mee, L. Def. Tyler Thompson, 6-0,6-0; Veronica Cislo, L. Def. Lydia Freeman, 6-0, 6-0; Laura Burgi, Cf. Def. Audra Poppen, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3; Lexi Bartkoski, CF. def. Ashley Shaw, 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles — Nicole Newman- Riley Dinning, L. Def. Shelby Hobbs/Step Raymond, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1; Margeaux Zwang/Anna Valentine, L. def. Franki Anderson/Shiloh Knutsen, 6-1, 6-0; Katie Horelick/Lindsey Kahn L. def. Pepper Borland/Sara Lueken, 6-1, 6-0.