Polson tennis teams look strong in season opener

Both Polson boys and girls tennis teams came out on top last Saturday against Bigfork with the boys getting a narrow 4-3 win and girls blanking the Lady Vals 7-0. Both teams then beat Stevi 3-0 later that before rain halted the matches.

In singles action, Andy Dykstra claimed a victory in the boys singles action, 6-2, 6-1, against Bigfork's Joe Wolstein. Jake Grebetz came up short against Owen Roberts, though, in a heartbreaker of a loss, dropping three sets, 7-6, (7-3), 5-7, and 6-4 after battling Roberts for what seemed like two hours.

"Jake and Owen Roberts are pretty evenly matched. Jake had a chance in the second set to win it but couldn't finish," head coach Bob Hislop said.

John Rausch defeated Scott Taylor 6-1, 6-0, using a hot serve to keep Taylor on his toes.

In boys doubles action, Brett Vandeberg and Derrick Roberts picked up a win after dropping their first set 5-7, but winning the next two 6-2, 6-2, looking like the strong team they were last year.

"Last year at state they were a very good team, but got a tough draw. They are probably one of the best four or five doubles teams in the state," Hislop said. "Brett and Derrick probably weren't happy with how well they played, but it was the first day and they hadn't played together that much this season."

Adam Eraky and Isaac Swan fell to a Bigfork duo 6-4, 7-5 and Steve Bertch and Kaoru Enomoto dropped two sets 6-3, 6-3.

Against Stevensville, the boys had no trouble keeping up the momentum as they won 3-0. Dykstra won 7-5, 6-1, Roberts scored 6-1, 6-2 and Jason Newton shut down Bigfork's Shane Wagar, 6-0, 6-0.

"That match he won over David Stephens, Andy just put him away. Andy has put in a ton of hours in the off season, and has really worked hard," Hislop said.

The girls looked even tougher, as Jen Orchard defeated Brianna Hughes 6-1, 6-0. Elise Bennett won 6-1, 6-4 over Quindee Averill and Mattea York took down Nicolette Peterson in two sets, 6-1, 6-3. Addie Krantz won in three 6-3, 3-6, 6-4.

"Jen is playing on two good legs for the first time in a year, and that makes all the difference in the world," Hislop said of his No. 1 on the girls side, who had knee surgery following last year's season.

Power duo Emily Fors and Malika Erickson picked up a win over the No. 1 Bigfork team 6-1, 6-2, making it look easy in the process. Emily Pyles and Kali Hislop downed a duo in two sets 6-0, 6-2, and Maddie Grebetz and Cassie Ward took down Lady Vals Jill Graham and Arian Shults 6-0, 6-0.

"We have lots of girls who can fit that No. 2 and 3 doubles spot," Hislop said, noting that he's still finalizing his pairs as the season gets underway.

Erickson scored 6-2, 6-0 to pick up a win over her Stevi opponent in singles action later that day.

In doubles action, Bennett and Krantz won 6-3, 6-0. Kelsie Delaney and York also won handily, 6-0, 6-0.

"Elise played well, and Mattea and Kelsie Delaney did really well, having never set foot on the court together," Hislop said. "With the season opener you just get in there and see what you got, and the girls never lost a match."

The teams will host Corvallis and Hamilton here on Saturday.