Pirates, Lady Pirates finding midseason rhythm

The Polson boys, girls tennis teams have both struggled to get into a rhythm through no fault of their own this season.

Pirates and Lady Pirates’ coach Bob Hislop said the “unseasonable weather” has caused them to be halted in their practice routine.

“I think that the two things coming out are the fact that the weather has been so bad it’s made it difficult to get into a flow, practice wise,” Hislop said. “This allows us to get a lot of work on being involved in the season. There is a very good chance that they were in peak condition last year at this time. The girls may have peaked a little too early but all of that has worked out and I like the way things are going for us.”

Hislop said his team has the desire to get more court time as his team prepares to head into Divisionals on May 16-17 in Polson.

The Pirates’ desire to improve has Hislop optimistic for his team’s chances as the postseason rapidly approaches.

“We got back from Stevensville a week or two ago and our tennis court was full with ten kids playing after a full day tennis trip as they played another two hours,” Hislop said. “They have that hunger and if they want it that bad, then good things will happen.”

The Pirates’ boys team struggled in their 4-3 loss to Corvallis this week. Because of the cancellation of Tuesday’s match against Columbia Falls at Columbia Falls High School, the Pirates and Lady Pirates were able to get in only a single match this week.

The Pirates’ No. 1 singles player Colin Kenney experienced a rare loss to Corvallis player Gabe DeLeo, as the Pirates’ singles team uncharacteristically lost every match.

Polson’s doubles received a victory from the following tandems: Jaron Morgan/Kaiden Forman-Webster, Cadis Chowning/Matt Sitter, and Kabe Forman-Webster/Carson McDaniel.

“Our boys doubles team did play really well at the No. 2 and No. 3 doubles,” Hislop said. “However, we are better than how we played today. We just need to work on the little things. There is always a positive that you can draw from it and our team doesn’t like to lose.”

Carlyle, Lady Pirates on a roll

Polson Lady Pirates’ No. 1 player Cassie Carlyle continues to set herself apart from the rest of the competition in Western Montana.

Carlyle, the Lady Pirates’ No. 1 doubles player who currently remains unbeaten, is beginning to separate herself from the rest of her competition, according to Hislop.

“She is still undefeated and the good news is she is really increasing the distance between herself and the rest of the competition in Western competition,” Hislop said.

Before the Pirates, Lady Pirates play Divisionals they will get another “strong” test when they travel to Whitefish for one final tuneup before Divisionals on May 12, Hislop said.

Hislop said he felt his team will need the test because they haven’t gotten as much court time and practice time as they are accustomed to because of inclimate weather has severely hampered the Pirates and Lady Pirates practice schedule.

The test against Whitefish will also provide them with a “formidable” opponent prior to the team playing at Divisionals and state, Hislop said.

“Whitefish is a good test to see maybe that we are better than we thought we were,” Hislop said. “The boys are still deep. We have very good singles players and should be successful in Divisionals. They are working hard right now to deal with the weather. The team is more frustrated than the coaches because of their lack of practice time.”

BOYS

Corvallis 4, Polson 3

Singles: Gabe DeLeo, C, def. Colin Kenney, 6-1, 7-5; Caleb Warnken, C, def. Johnny Moore, 6-1, 6-2; Cayden Ayers, C, def. Sam Schultz, 6-1, 7-5; George Curtis, C, def. Joe McDonald, 4-6, 6-2, 10-8.

Doubles: Jaron Morgan/Kaiden Forman-Webster, P, def. Justin Catanach/Alec Sangster, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4; Cadis Chowning/Matt Sitter, P, def. Brennan Williams/Dylan Josey, 7-5, 6-0; Kabe Forman-Webster/Carson McDaniel, P, def. Avery Waldon/Andrew Simkins, 6-3, 6-3.

GIRLS

Corvallis 4, Polson 3

Singles: Cassie Carlyle, P, def. Olivia Fehr, 6-0, 6-2; Emma Pickett, C, def. Shea McGuinnes, 6-0, 6-0; Molly Gale, C, def. Josie Peterson, 6-1, 6-3; Alia Taverner, P, def. Esther Janunas, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 10-6.

Doubles: Olivia Hewston/Kyler Lundeen, P, def. Emilie Thomas/Kristin Saturday, 6-1, 6-0; Connie Watt/Claire Pickett, C, def. Olivia Perez/Elizabeth Violette, 6-2, 6-2; Bailey Zsupnik/McKenzie Jessop, C, def. Sharmaine Zempel/Mikayla Craft, 6-1, 6-0.