Polson boys still undefeated, girls fall to Bulldogs

The Polson boys tennis team continues its undefeated season, beating Libby and Whitefish last week, while the girls dropped a tough one to the top-ranked Whitefish Bulldogs after topping Libby earlier.

The girls are still a very respectable 7-2 on the season, and as anyone who has been watching Class A tennis in Western Montana this season knows, losing to Whitefish puts you in a large class.

Bulldog state champ Danni Paulson and Taylor Beach, along with Lady Pirate Jen Orchard, are considered three of the top girls players in the conference. Orchard didn't have her best game Saturday against Paulson, but head coach Bob Hislop said she's got nothing to be ashamed of.

"Even if Jen had played perfectly, she might not have won a game. Danni Paulson is that good," he said.

Mattea York picked up the only win in girls singles action, while Malika Erickson and Emily Fors did the same in doubles action.

"Malika and Emily at No. 1 doubles are doing fantastic. They handled Whitefish No. 1 (doubles) very easily," Hislop said.

Against Libby, the girls had a clean sweep in singles action, as Erickson, York, Jessica Bowers and Emily Pyles all picked up wins. The girls took two of three in doubles action, too, with Erica Mole, Kelsie Delaney, Cassie Ward and Jessica Buckless teaming up for wins.

The boys continue to look strong, with Brian Dubuque and Andy Dykstra leading the singles action, and Brett Vandeberg, Logan Klein, Mitchell Grove and Derrick Roberts all looking strong in doubles action.

"Derrick and Mitchell haven't been beaten yet, and Logan and Brett are doing well. Of the nine returning varsity boys, most are playing really well," Hislop said.

Hislop said the match of the week was Dykstra against Logger Brian Kehn, which lasted three hours and 15 minutes. Dykstra lost in five, but it was a tough battle for both sides.

"It was incredible," Hislop said of the back-and-forth between the two.

Zach Brown, Spencer Irwin and Felipe Montenegro all got singles victories against Libby.

In boys doubles action, Roberts and Grove had no problems, winning 6-0, 6-0, while Jake Grebetz, Gabe Caye, David Sicz and Isaak Swan also got wins.

"The boys line up is getting closer and closer to being set. It's perfectly natural to have a mid-season slump, but they are looking pretty strong," Hislop said.

A postponement against Columbia Falls earlier in the season will be made up this Friday starting at 3 p.m. here in Polson before the teams head to the Bitterroot Invitational this weekend and then the Davis Cup in Kalispell next Monday.

Libby

Boys

Polson 5, Libby 1

Brian Kehn (L) def. Andy Dykstra, 7-6, 10-8, 6-7 and 7-2, and 7-5

Zach Brown (P) def. Mike Bardol 7-6, 8-6, 4-6, 6-4

Spencer Irwin (P) def. Justin Thorstenson, 6-1, 6-7, 7-4

Felipe Montenegro (P) def. Zach Ercanbrach, 6-1, 6-3

Doubles

Derrick Roberts and Mitchell Grove (P) def. Wyatt Crismore and Gabe Sorenson, 6-0, 6-0

Jake Grebetz and Gabe Caye (P) def. Taylor Rios and Steve Hauck, 6-2, 6-2

David Sicz and Isaak Swan (P) def. Chris Schnackenburg and Milan House, 6-0, 6-2

Girls

Polson 5, Libby 1

Singles

Malika Erickson (P) def. Tiffany Casey, 6-0, 6-0

Jessica Bowers (P) def. Melissa Kehn, 6-2, 6-1

Mattea York (P) def. Emily Krol, 6-1, 6-1

Emily Pyles (P) def. Margo Zwang, 6-0, 6-2

Doubles

Jessica Doubek and Brittany Larson (L) def Addie Krantz and Elise Bennett, 6-2, 7-5

Erica Mole and Kelsie Delaney (P) def. Brenna Chvicilek and Jourdan Wood, 7-6, 7-4, 6-4

Cassie Ward and Jessica Buckless (P) def. Misti Little and Rylie Dinning, 6-1, 6-1