RONAN AND MISSION FACE OFF AT THE NET

by Dylan Kitzan & Leader Reporter
| April 12, 2012 11:00 AM

ST. IGNATIUS — The Ronan Chiefs and Maidens defeated their Lake County rivals at Mission in tennis action on Tuesday, April 3, but while the team scores indicated a lopsided win, the individual scores were much closer.

In boys action, the Chiefs knocked off the Bulldogs 6-0, but had to work in every match to earn it. At No. 1 singles, Ronan’s Hunter Shima bounced back from a rough second set to earn a 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 victory over Mission’s Karl Daniels.

Mission boys coach Kimimi Ashley noted that Daniels is still making strides to improve, but credited Shima with hitting some big shots.

“Karl is a good net player and I think that it is something that we need to work more on in match play to end the points,” Ashley said. “He tried adding it to his game against his opponent, but credit to his opponent, he had fairly good passing shots. I think with more work on that aspect of his game that fewer of those shots will get past him.”

At No. 2, Kyle Yankey defeated Felix Sonntag in two hard-fought sets, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 and Ronny Cullis downed Troy Bontrager in No. 4 action 6-1, 7-6 (2). A second split-set match went Ronan’s way when Joey Dresen outlasted Chris Camel 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.

“I was impressed this week with Chris, not only in putting together a match, but in working on his mental commitment,” Ashley said. “By playing singles right now, he is getting more time on the ball that will help him be able to concentrate on a whole point and think of how to put it together.”

On the doubles side, Ronan’s Daniel Aylesworth and Tyler Anderson defeated Mission’s Harry Suta and Katz Yelsa at No. 1 doubles 6-3, 6-3, while at No. 2, Spencer Sucha and Logan Sukala teamed for a 6-1, 6-3 victory over R.J. Blood and Zeeshaun Ali.

On the girls side, the Maidens took advantage of a shorthanded Lady Bulldog team to earn a 4-1 win.

Ronan’s Amber Metzger defeated Cierra Dougherty, playing No. 1 singles in the absence of Sarah Bowers and Jane Makepeace, 6-0, 6-0, while Brianna Frank rebounded from a second-set loss to eke out a No. 2 singles win, 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, over Kayla Billette.

“I thought Cierra put up a good fight and did pretty well,” said Mission head coach Sara Ison. “I think she was a little nervous.

“I was very impressed with Kaylas’ performance,” Ison added. “She really played her heart out and hustled to every ball. She had some amazing gets and great points. I hope that helped boost her confidence.”

The Maidens’ Hannah Bird Rattler produced Ronan’s third singles win, 6-0, 6-2 over Briar Ahlborn, but Mission’s Alexis Paul helped avoid the sweep, knocking off the Maidens’ Hannah Kiehn 6-2, 7-6 (4).

In the only doubles match between the teams, Taylor Courville and Katelyn Matkovich won in impressive fashion over Randi Butterfly and Laura Eggeling 6-0, 6-0. Despite the loss, Ison has seen improvement from her team.

“I’m seeing our serves improve and some of the newer players becoming more aggressive during play and coming up to the net more,” Ison said.

The Chiefs and Maidens will look to keep rolling in matches this week. On Thursday, April 12, the Chiefs will entertain Valley Christian, while the Maidens travel to Superior for a match against the Lady Bobcats.

Then on Tuesday, April 17, both teams will head to Troy to take on the Trojans. Meanwhile, Mission will look to get into the win column, with the girls playing three matches to the boys’ one.

On Thursday, both teams travel to Bigfork before the girls face Darby at home on Saturday. The girls also played Superior on Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time.