Ronan Tennis: SHOWING NO LOVE

TROY — The Ronan Maidens had their final tuneup for the state tournament at divisionals this week when they finished second of five teams.

TROY — The Ronan Maidens had their final tuneup for the state tournament at divisionals this week when they finished second of five teams.

Top singles player Amber Metzger won her consolation match after staving off a tough challenge from Mission’s Jane Makepeace, winning 6-3, 1-6, 6-1. Ronan’s two doubles teams, meanwhile, got off to strong starts before running into trouble in the second round. Katelyn Matkovich and Taylor Courville fell in a long three-set match to Troy’s Kellie Lundin and Katie Lundin 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 while Darian Blixt-Leo and Seri Smith were downed by Alanis Stallknecht and Shelby Scoggins of Bigfork 6-1, 6-3, setting up a match between the Maiden teams.

“They had easy first rounds and didn’t play quite as well in the second,” head coach Gordan Cummings said. “Katelyn was a little sick and not herself. They lost to a team they’ve beaten before and had a couple match points, but credit to their opponents who came back.”

The battle of Ronan’s top two teams swayed toward the No. 1 squad of Matkovich and Courville, as they won 6-4, 7-5, avenging a loss Smith and Blixt-Leo handed them in practice.

“Darian and Seri beat them once, but Katelyn and Taylor said they wouldn’t do it again,” Cummings said. “There was a lot of pride on the line.”

State took place Tuesday-Thursday, but results were unavailable at press time. Cummings had high hopes for both of his squads, confident that they could be heard from.

“Our girls are good players and I hope they do well,” Cummings said. “It’s hard to say how the boys will do since they’re matched with teams they haven’t seen, but we’ll see how it works out.”