Tennis teams aim to get players at state

Both the boys and girls Columbia Falls tennis programs hope to qualify players for the state tournament this season. On the girls side, the team welcomes back a host of seniors, including Gabby Keller, Emma Covill, McKenna Emmerich, Micinze Christopherson, Courtney Seward and Kierstan Wendt, along with sophomore Hailey Sapa.

Coach Jerry Smalley, in his 17th year, is also adding senior Jessica Ream, junior Baylee Brinton and freshman Emily Getts to the varsity squad.

All told, there’s about 30 girls on the varsity and junior varsity squads. Gene Marcille is Smalley’s assistant coach.

“This year, we have a nice blend through the classes,” Smalley said. “Our goal is always to get as many girls as possible qualified for the state tournament.”

Boys coach Gary Yee, in his 10th year as coach, also has several returning athletes, including Caleb Baumann, Mason Gedlaman, Andrew West, Gavin Thelan, Chris Wittkamp, Logan Carr, Evan Wells, Josh Potter and Logan Williams.

“We’ve had a number of athletes playing in the off season at the Summit indoor tennis courts in Kalispell,” Yee said. “That should make a big difference.”

The fickle spring weather has cooperated a little bit so far — both teams have been able to get out and practice at least a few days.

The Class A high school tennis season opens early, or at least will try to, on March 26 with a home meet against Ronan. The boys are then scheduled to be at home March 28 against Whitefish while the girls are away,

Both coaches picked Polson as the team to beat in the conference. Polson has indoor courts in town that are available to the players in the winter, Smalley noted.