Polson tennis plays host to state tournament
Chris Jordan for the Leader<br>Emily Pyles returns a serve against her opponent during Thursday's action in Kalispell.
It was second place for Polson boys and girls tennis teams at the Western A divisional tournament last Saturday. Polson placed two singles players and two duos in the championship, and both teams have a shot at placing players in this week's state action, which will take place in Ronan and Polson.
State placers include Jen Orchard, duo Malika Erickson and Emily Fors, Andy Dystra, Derrick Roberts and duo Colton Woods and Brett Vandeberg.
In the championship round Orchard lost to her Whitefish opponent, Danni Paulson, 6-1, 6-1, giving her the second seed at state. In doubles action, Erickson and Fors took down two Lady 'Dogs with a pair of 6-3s making them the top seed for state.
"The girls did about everything we expected them to. We are set pretty nicely for state. These are the best draws we could have gotten for state," head coach Bob Hislop noted.
The girls earned 52 points overall, placing them right behind Whitefish with 59.
On the boys' side, Dykstra battled Whitefish's Matt Harris, but lost in three. Dykstra dropped his first set, but claimed the second 6-2. In a heartbreaking third set, Dykstra came under a close 7-5, placing him second in state seeding.
Woods and Vandeberg climbed their way up the ladder to the final finish, but their Bigfork opponents won 6-0, 6-2. Woods and Vandeberg will have a No. 2 seed at state.
Derrick Roberts earned a berth with a fourth place finish, after having to play teammate David Sicz earlier for a shot at the tourney.
Hislop said Sicz had a fantastic weekend, and that he exceeded all expectations.
"Some of the players had a phenomenal weekend. David Sicz in the boys singles had to play Derrick for the chance to go to state, which was unfortunate, but David had a great weekend," Hislop said. "Emily Pyles and Kelsie Delaney on the girls side all did well. Kelsie, our No. 4 singles player, made it to within two matches of going to state. Emily had a great tourney, too."
The boys earned 53 points to the Bulldog's 59.
Hislop said both teams have a shot at getting trophies, but Whitefish boys and girls teams, Corvallis boys, and Havre and Dillon girls teams stand in the way.
"We all have a shot," Hislop said.
Boys action will start Thursday morning in Ronan, with the girls playing in Polson, and the weather-permitting, the final matches will be played in Polson on Friday, Hislop said.