TENNIS: PIRATES FINISH FOURTH

by Brandon Hansen & Sports Editor
| May 31, 2012 3:00 PM

The Polson boys won the Northwestern A divisional championship two weeks ago and proved themselves to be one of the top four teams in the state last weekend in Great Falls.

“The boys were competitive all season long and I think it kinda rubbed off on the girls team,” Hislop said.

Hislop pointed to doubles players Dylan McCrumb and Hayden Congdon, who knocked off Columbia Falls’ No. 1 and undefeated doubles team in the divisional tournament.

“We sent young kids into battle all year and they kept winning and winning,” Hislop said.

Senior Ian Laimbeer and junior Will Davey won four matches at the state tournament and placed third with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Whitefish’s Camp Kenyon and Connor Ellis.

“It’s very, very cool,” Hislop said. “Ian and Will are close friends. At divisionals, they were one of the two best teams going in, but the two best teams finished third and fourth. That might make you want to put your tennis racket away but rather than get down about it, they played great.”

Hislop also credited his wife and assistant coach, Donna, who helped work with Laimbeer and Davey all season, helping turn their competitive spirit into some impressive tennis. To win third place, they had to defeat the top team from the Eastern Conference and a good team from Hardin along the way.

Northwestern A singles champion Brady Hislop picked up two victories at the state tournament and reached the quarterfinals, while Sam Peel won a match at the state tournament. In doubles action, Congdon and McCrumb picked up a victory in the tournament as well.

“We have big plans for this boys team,” Hislop said. “They’re going to be really good for the next two or three years.”

Hislop said that his son, Brady, had a quarterfinals matchup with James Enzler from Stevensville with a hostile crowd but wasn’t fazed and played an epic 5-7,7-6,6-3 match before falling.

“He had a boisterous crowd to contend with and just dealt with it and played through it,” Hislop said.

Hislop said that finishing just outside of getting a trophy should provide some inspiration for next season. With a young and talented roster and the 2012 divisional championship in their pocket, the sky is the limit for the competitive Pirates.

“They sort of like a good boxing match,” Hislop said.