Four C-Falls tennis players head to state

The Columbia Falls tennis teams will send four athletes to the state Class A tournament this week in Great Falls.

The doubles team of Miroslav Zvyagelskiy and Parker Johnson took third in Polson at the Northwest A tournament on May 11, downing Polson’s Will Davey and Ian Laimbeer 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-2 in the consolation final.

Brian Marcille took third in boys singles, beating Dan Leggins of Libby 6-2, 6-2 in the consolation final.

On the girls side, Gabrielle Stenger took third in singles play, defeating Polson’s Kylee Wegner, 6-3, 6-4.

“The Kats represented Columbia Falls well at the Northwest A divisionals in Polson,” girls coach Jerry Smalley said. “It’s neat to hear other coaches tell us they enjoy playing Columbia Falls girls because of our sportsmanship and exemplary behavior.”

Stenger improved over last year’s fourth-place finish. Emma Covill won three matches, but came up just short to qualify.

The divisional tourney was a little disappointing for the boys doubles team, which was ranked No. 1 going in.

“They dropped a match they shouldn’t have dropped,” coach Gary Yee said. “Unfortunately, they had to eliminate our No. 2 doubles team (Andrew West and Mason Gedlaman).”

Yee said he was hoping Gedlaman and West would qualify as well. The tournament starts Thursday and runs through Saturday.