Orchard takes second, Dykstra third in state tennis

It was stiff competition at last week's state tennis tourney, as the Polson girls and boys teams played host to some tough teams from around the state. Jen Orchard brought home a second place finish and Andy Dykstra took third in singles action last week in Polson

Orchard was able to work her way into the championship round by defeating Cassie Hodges of Hardin, 6-3, 6-3, before falling to eventual state champ Danni Paulson of Whitefish, who finished her high school career 77-0. Orchard's second place finish was the culmination of a high school career that saw her garnish one all-state basketball award, two all-state tennis nods, and three all-state golf awards over her four years at Polson, head coach Bob Hislop noted.

"Jen did fantastic. She never lost, except to Danni. I was really proud of the way she performed," Hislop said.

Both Orchard and Dykstra - and the rest of the team - faced tough competition early on, due in part to seeding from the divisional tourney, with Dykstra facing last year's state runner-up in his first round of action Friday, then the Central divisional champ, then eventual state title winner Roberto Maldonado for his third match in the semifinals and finally the Eastern divisional champ, Jordan Hatzell, whom Dykstra beat 6-4, 6-0 to get third.

"Andy had probably the toughest draw of anyone at state. He did a very nice job, and was deserving of a third place finish for all-state [honors]. He had a heck of a tournament," Hislop noted.

The girls team finished within a point of third place, while the boys finished seventh out of 13 teams, with only five points separating four different teams from third place.

"We had hoped to do a little better in the girls side. A win here, a win there and we could have placed," Hislop noted.

The rest of the team faced tough competition, too, with Emily Fors and Malika Erickson drawing a tough Havre duo in second round action Friday, who eventually took second in state.

"That match on the first day against Havre really hurt us, and that threw them into a tougher bracket coming up through the losers side," Hislop said.

Boys doubles team Colton Woods and Brett Vandeberg also had a tough Friday, winning their first round action but dropping the next two matches.

"I knew if they didn't win their semi round there was a good chance they could finish early. But they had a good season, especially Colton, playing his first season [on an organized team]," Hislop said.

Derrick Roberts also had tough draws early on, losing to some top players from Havre and Whitefish.

"Derrick had a tough go of it early on. It just goes to show how important those divisional results are," Hislop said.

For next year's boys team, the news is especially tough, with the team losing eight of 10 of its varsity players. On the girls side, things are a little better. Although the team will lose Orchard, Fors, Addie Krantz and Elise Bennett, four of the six girls coming back were within a match of going to state, Hislop noted.

But all things considered, the teams represented their school well, and it was nice to host the state tourney, Hislop said.

"I couldn't be prouder of the kids who went to state. Having it on our courts was nice, and the weather was great, despite everything they said it was going to do," Hislop said. "It was just a great year."