Ronan tennis mixes it up
Senior Austin Butler keeps his eye on the ball during his singles match last Friday against Columbia Falls.
RONAN - Coming off its first win of the season, the Ronan Maidens tennis team made a few changes.
Despite falling 1-6 to Columbia Falls on Friday, head coach Gordon Cummings was impressed with how players responded, including sophomore Seri Smith. She played singles for the first time all season and responded by taking a 6-2, 6-3 decision, the teams only win of the weekend.
"I've moved the kids around to see where they best fit and some don't like singles but they all will play it and hopefully it will make them a better all-around player," he said. "Seri adapted well and played very consistent all day."
No. 2 doubles team Sarah Anderson and Taylir Courville won the middle set of three, but couldn't seal the deal, falling 3-6, 6-3, 3-6.
"They played well as a doubles team so we will try that again later," Cummings said of the two players.
Katelyn Matkovich was in the No. 1 spot for the match and despite losing 3-6, 1-6, Cummings said "she did well for not playing there before. She was in the match but just couldn't come up with the big point."
The team traveled to Libby last Saturday and immediately faced its biggest obstacle: Mother Nature.
"Bad weather was the culprit on Saturday," Cummings said.
The Maidens fell 0-6, but some quality play pleased Cummings. Sophomore Amber Metzger got a chance to play Libby's Jackie Mee, the state singles winner last season. Metzger put up a good showing, Cummings said.
"She enjoyed the opportunity to see the best and know what she needs to do," he said.
The Chiefs faced quality players as well. The team lost to Columbia Falls and Libby by scores of 1-6 and 0-7, respectively.
Austin Butler lost a tough three setter from the No. 1 singles spot, falling 4-6, 6-4, 5-7. The lone victory for the team came from No. 1 doubles duo Jeff Blixt and Hunter Shima, who rolled to a straight-set 6-4, 6-2 win.
The team then headed for Libby for Saturday's match. Two forfeits and no set wins highlighted a difficult day for the Chiefs.
"The boys had a tough time versus Libby," Cummings said. "We were shorthanded and we never really got off the bus to play."
Ronan will take an extended break from play before headed for matches against Corvallis and Hamilton on May 14.