Marcille, Getts, Maynard compete in state tennis tourney

By CHRIS PETERSON/Hungry Horse News

For the fourth time in her high school tennis career, Sarah Marcille will make a trip to the state tournament, and the boys doubles team of Grant Getts and Cody Maynard will play at state as well.

Getts and Maynard played a great match in the divisional doubles final before being edged by Whitefish's Matt Harris and Brendan Viscomi, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. The boys were up 4-3 in the final set as the teams traded violent slams and sweet volleys.

But Whitefish was able to break serve and go on for the win in what was a hot day in May.

"They really came on strong," boys coach Gary Yee said of Maynard and Getts.

Yee said the team had been working with local doubles players in the past couple of weeks to hone their game, specifically on attacking the net and winning the ad court.

It paid off.

"The kids are playing together as a team," Yee said. "I thought it was the best match of the season."

Marcille battled back through the consolation bracket to get to state after she lost to Whitefish's Brielle Menegazzi, 6-4, 1-6, 1-6. She then beat Almira Sekerci of Whitefish, 6-3, 6-4 and then lost to Kate Klundt of Whitefish 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in the consolation bracket final to take fourth — good enough for another state berth.

"Marcille has achieved a level that is reached by very few players. She has qualified for state for four years," girls coach Jerry Smalley said.

Smalley said he was proud of the team's effort and they have improved a lot this year. He gave kudos to Franki Anderson and Steph Raymond for winning a match at the divisional tournament and said that Lexie Bartkoski and Marissa Getts also stepped up their games.

Raymond and Anderson beat Horelick and Kehn of Libby for a win at divisionals, 1-6, 7-5, 7-5. Marissa Getts beat Shaw of Libby 6-3, 6-2 in the consolation bracket for a win.

The state tournament is set to start Thursday (today) in Polson (girls) and Ronan (boys), but the weather doesn't look very promising. If there's rain into Friday, the matches will move to the Summit in Kalispell, Yee noted.

Getts and Maynard face the No. 3 doubles team from the east in the 13th match of the day. The tourney is double elimination except for the final.