Ronan tennis begins

STEVENSVILLE - Ronan’s swatters hit the court for the first time this past weekend.

The Maidens first battled Dillon, a team loaded with veteran talent, according to Ronan head coach Gordon Cummings.

“Dillon is very experienced as they have eight seniors. We played a lot of new kids - six freshmen, two sophomores, and two seniors,” Cummings said.

Dillon downed Ronan 7-0 and the Maiden’s strongest match was at the number two doubles position where freshman Katelyn Matkovich and senior Brittney Drake were able to win a couple games against the experienced Dillon hitters.

Next up was Stevensville. Ronan’s best performance was at the No. 2 doubles spot again, with Matkovich and freshman Taylor Courville battling for a two set win.

“Katelyn and Taylor played tough for this being only their second match. They served consistently and mentally frustrated their opponents,” Cummings said.

A close three-set loss by Ronan freshman Amber Metzgar was the other highlight for the Maidens. Metzgar won the first set 6-4 and hung in there scoring enough points for four game wins in the next two but couldn’t win another set.

“Amber lost in three sets but won plenty of points just by hustling after points,” Cummings said. “She ran down a lot of points that other kids just give up on.”

The girls lost the meet 6-1.

The boys’ only meet so far was at Stevensville, where they fell 5-2. They played without any seniors which Cummings said should make for an exciting future.

Ronan junior Austin Butler took a three set win at the no. 2 singles position, his only loss at the end of a tie-breaker.

“Austin Butler played the best I’ve ever seen him play. This is his third year and he has worked very hard to be here,” Cummings said.

The Ronan boys’ other victory was at the No. 3 singles position, where Ronan junior Jeff Blixt pulled out a come-from-behind win over Christian Proud. After losing the first set 6-4, Blixt won the next two by the same score.

All in all Cummings was pleased with his boys, five of them playing their first ever high school matches.

“I felt we learned a lot and played well for the first match,” he said.   

Ronan plays  Whitefish and Bigfork on Saturday,  April 18 in Bigfork.

Boys

Stevensville 5, Ronan 2

Singles - Ryan Dufresne, S, def Sage Burland, 6-3, 7-6; Austin Butler. R, def Aaron Junor 6-4, 5-7, 6-0; Jeff Blixt-leo, R, def Christian Proud 4-6, 6-2, 6-4; Nathan Tavares, S, def Aaron Yazzie 6-1, 6-2.

Doubles - Sam Lubbers/Riley Slaughter, S, def Sage Burland/Jeff Blixt-leo 6-1, 7-6; Travis Griffin/Josh Meier, S, def Hunter Shima/Spencer Sucha 6-2, 6-3; Cody Stevens/Justin Stockdale, S, def Riley Cordier/Jess Smith 6-0, 6-1.

Girls

Stevensville 6, Ronan 1

Singles - Becky Weidow, S, def Britney Cheff 6-1, 6-1; Misiel Ravina, S, def Amber Metzger 4-6, 6-1, 6-3; Cassidy Morgan, S, def Hayley Walston 6-0, 6-0; Emily Pateman, S, def Brittney Drake 6-2, 6-3.

Doubles - Christina Boberg/Courtney Liston, S, def Shelby Fisher/Darian Blixt-leo 6-1, 6-1; Taylor Courville/Katelyn Matkovich, R, def Melissa Diforti/Courtney Schulz, 6-4, 6-2; Rochelle Kutter/Francesca Roberto, S, def Brianna Frank/Sophie Manniche, 6-1, 7-5.