Polson tennis: Out of the woods

POLSON — Both Polson tennis teams are expected to be strong in the conference this year and they proved that in their first action of the season on Saturday against NWA opponent Libby. The unpredictable spring Montana weather robbed the Pirates and Lady Pirates of an epic battle with tennis power Hamilton, but both teams were able to get the best of the Loggers in dominant fashion.

“Libby is really young this year and they lost two seniors that were state-caliber players,” Polson head coach Bob Hislop said. “It was a great starting match for our kids to get their feet under them.”

For the girls, Polson swept Libby 7-0, anchored by their No. 1 net-minder Whitney Zimmerman. Zimmerman placed third in the state tournament last year and looked good in her first action of the season. She took down the Lady Loggers’ No. 1 player, Kaya Hardgrove, handily with 6-0, 6-0 sets.

In singles action, Sara Robinson, Tegan Bauer and Lauren Dupuis also picked two-set victories over their opponents.

“The girls went out and did work,” Hislop said. “Our other singles girls had wins that were equal to what Whitney did. They dominated their opponents and kept their focus.”

Polson’s girls double teams were even more impressive, giving up just one game in three matches against Libby and winning all of them.

“We knew coming in that we may have the best doubles players in the conference,” Hislop said. “The only returning full-time doubles team that made it to state last year played in the No. 3 slot for us against Libby.”

Polson’s No. 1 doubles players, Jordan Quinn and Karly Rochin, and No. 2 doubles players, Kenzie Clay and Mollybeth Hendrix both won their matches 6-0, 6-0. The returning duo of Audra Engebretson and Karmen Borchers defeated their opponents 6-1, 6-0. Hislop said that all three doubles teams are talented and he’ll rotate them all through the lineup.

“I don’t know if I could tell you who the best doubles players are out of our six,” Hislop said.

The boys were equally strong in their 6-1 victory over Libby. Their one match loss was because of a doubles forfeit since some kids were away for spring break.

Brady Hislop won his No. 1 matchup over Jason Schnackenberg 6-0, 6-2 and Polson continued to sweep through singles action.

“Both Whitney and Brady played really well,” Hislop said. “To get wins at the No. 1 spot is good because you get everyone’s best. They both played for smart points.”

Dylan McCrumb, Tommy Mercer and Jared Gallatin all won their singles matches. McCrumb, who normally played doubles, made the conversion to the No. 2 singles spot and defeated Dan Leggins 6-2, 6-0.

“After a slow start he just played fabulous,” Hislop said.

In doubles action, Hayden Congdon and Ian Laimbeer won in a three-set battle over Libby’s No. 1 doubles team, Lane Luscher and Ian Myslicki.

“Hayden and Ian had a good day,” Hislop said.

After winning the first set 6-0, Congdon and Laimbeer fell in the second 6-7 but bounced back with the deciding 6-1 third-set victory.

In No. 2 doubles action, Sam Peel and Sam Kinzle won their match easily, 6-2, 6-2.

Polson didn’t get much time to think about their Libby match. While results were not available at press time, they faced up against Corvallis and Bigfork on Tuesday. The Bigfork boys team was second at state in Class B/C last season and the Corvallis boys are the two-time defending state champions in Class A. The Corvallis and Bigfork girls teams also have talented players on their roster.

So while the scores might not be as dominant as they were against Libby, Hislop said his kids enjoy the challenge of playing the top tennis teams in the state.

“It’s fun to win but these kids enjoy the competitiveness against these good teams,” Hislop said. “They love the chance to play the best.”