Ronans run ends

HAMILTON — The Ronan tennis team won’t send any athletes to state, but competed well at divisionals just the same.

At girls singles, Amber Metzger had the only win for the Maidens, over Stevensville’s Melissa Diforti, in early play.

“She played three matches on Friday and played very well,” head coach Gordon Cummings said. “Amber has great potential in the coming year.”

In doubles competition, Darian Blixt-Leo and Hayley Walston got a tough draw with a No. 2 seed from Dillon who were upset in the first round. Dillon’s pair pulled out the win, after the Maidens gave them a close run in the second set.

“Darian and Hayley work well together, communicate and enjoy the game,” Cummings said.

The pair of Katelyn Matkovich and Taylor Courville were outed in the same round, as were Crystal Torres and Brianna Frank.

“Katelyn and Taylor played some good tennis but just fell short. As freshmen it was a great experience for them to see where they need to be in the coming years,” Cummings said.

The Maidens will lose two seniors this year. One is Carly Blush.

“She is a tough competitor and has a good solid game,” Cummings said.

The other is Britney Cheff, a four-year player.

“She has come a long way in her game since freshman year. You won’t find a nicer or more honest player on the court than Brit. She brought laughter and fun to the team and her beaming personality shines in everything she does,” Cummings said.

The Ronan boys earned nine points at divisionals.

The younger boys of Ronan tennis got tough early draws in the singles matches but had a good time participating just the same, Cummings said.

Top hitter Sage Burland lost his first set but battled his way back into second day competition. There he fell 6-0, 6-2 to Corvallis’ Cody Lengyel.

“He knows where he needs to be and is willing to put in the time and I see him possibly going to state next year,” Cummings said.

The doubles pairs of Colton Cheff and Jeff Blixt-Leo lost a tough battle on the second day of the tournament, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 to Michael Miller and Alex Ridgway of Hamilton.

In the same round, Austin Butler and Hunter Shima also fell. It was close, but no cigar for the two doubles pairs.

All four worked hard on the first day to get where they were, Cummings said.