Pyles leads Polson tennis teams, going undefeated

The Polson tennis teams have been on a whirlwind run over the past week, competing in five matches in as many days, but they’ll have some chance to rest and regroup before they compete again on Saturday.

The Polson girls swept the singles matches en route to a dominant victory over Columbia Falls on Thursday, April 12, winning 6-1. Emily Pyles led off with a 6-2, 6-1 win and was followed by Mattea York, who won 6-0, 6-1. Cali Hislop and Erika Mole didn’t give up a set in their wins, both dominating 6-0, 6-0.

The boys didn’t do quite as well against C-Falls, and they lost 4-3. The match was highlighted by wins from Jake Grebetz, who won the only singles match for Polson, 6-2, 6-3. The Pirates did well in doubles, though, as Steven Roberts and Kyle Cooper won 6-1, 6-0 and Joe Allik and Ky Simshaw won 6-1, 6-1.

“Jake and Emily both had nice wins at No. 1 singles. Emily bounced back from her only loss at Libby, and beat a very good player in Sarah Marcille,” head coach Bob Hislop said.

The girls scored their second win of the week against Bigfork Saturday, winning 6-1. Emily Pyles won 6-2, 6-2, Mattea York scored a victory in a close one 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 and Kelsie Delaney won in three sets 6-4, 3-6, 7-5. The Lady Pirates swept the doubles matches, as Malika Erickson and Cali Hislop won 6-4, 6-2, Cassie Ward and Steph Bertsch won 6-0, 6-2 and Kelsie Jones and Katie O’Brien won by forfeit.

“Malika and Cali beat their toughest competition Saturday morning, against the Bigfork No. 1 doubles team. On the boys side, Jake and Karsten had nice wins,” Hislop said.

The boys once again had trouble and lost 5-2. Both Polson wins came in singles, as Jake Grebetz won 6-3, 6-1 and Karsten Erickson won 6-0, 6-1.

The girls continued their winning ways against Stevi on Saturday, beating them easily 6-1. Malika Erickson won 6-0, 6-1, Carli Hislop earned a victory 6-3, 6-4 and Steph Bertsch won 6-3, 6-2. The closest singles match came for Cassie Ward, who hung on in a second set tiebreaker to win, 6-2, 7-6. In doubles, Kelsie Delaney and Mattea York won a tough one, 6-4, 6-7, 6-3. Emily Pyles and Kelsie Jones also won 6-4, 6-1.

The boys also picked up a win against Stevi, 4-3. Matt Roberts led of with a victory, 6-3, 6-3 and Joe Allik also won in singles, 6-2, 6-0. The Pirates took two out of three in the doubles, led by Jake Grebetz and Karsten Erickson, who won 6-3, 6-2. Kyle Cooper and Stefan McCrumb won too, 7-5, 6-3.

The girls finally lost on Monday to a very tough Corvallis squad, 6-1. Their sole win came from Emily Pyles, 6-2, 6-2. Mattea York fought valiantly, but came up just short, 1-6, 7-6, 3-6.

“The girls wouldn’t have lost to Corvallis by that measure, but the kids were just worn out at that point. Emily Pyles was the only winner against Corvallis, but we did well in the Hamilton dual. Karston Erickson had two nice matches — he won one and lost one — but he played great in both of his matches Monday,” Hislop said.

The boys didn’t fare any better against Corvallis, and they also lost 6-1. Karsten Erickson got the only win for the Pirates, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

The Lady Pirates regained their form in the second match on Monday, beating a good Hamilton team 4-3. Malika Erickson won 6-4, 6-0 and Emily Pyles was perfect in the singles, winnings 6-0, 6-0. In doubles, Kelsie Delaney and Mattea York went to work with a 6-2, 6-2 win and pair Cassie Ward and Jane Probst also won.

Polson will travel to Whitefish Saturday before facing Mission next Tuesday, which is not on the original schedule.