Maynard, Getts, Marcille win matches at state tennis tourney

By CHRIS PETERSON/Hungry Horse News

Sometimes the ball just doesn't bounce your way. Columbia Falls tennis players had a mixed showing at the state tourney this year.

Senior Sarah Marcille lost in the first round to Brittany Hatzel, 6-2, 6-0 but then beat Kelsi Nordahl of Belgrade, 6-3, 6-3 in the consolation bracket. But in the second round of consolation she lost to Hope Hedges of Havre, 6-1, 6-2 to end her high school career.

On the boys side, the doubles team of Grant Getts and Cody Maynard beat Scott Athas and Christian Hannesson, Dawson County, 6-2, 6-3 in the first round, but lost to Todd Roe and Kyle Miller of Havre 6-4, 6-1 in the quarterfinals.

In the consolation round they beat Brett Patterson and Jesse Orcutt of Dawson County 6-1, 6-3 to stay alive in the double elimination tourney. But in the consolation semifinals Getts and Maynard lost to Isaac Boelman and Bryce Burke of Billings Central 6-4, 6-4.

"They did a lot better than they did last year," boys coach Gary Yee said of Getts and Maynard. "They got all the way to the quarters in consolations. It was a huge improvement for both of them."

Girls coach Jerry Smalley said he was proud of Marcille, who made it to the state tourney all four years of her high school career.

"Sarah's goal was to win a match at the state tournament and she did that," Smalley said. "Tournaments are all about seedings and draws. Last year, in the first round, Sarah drew Annah Arrasmith from Livingston, who went on to win the championship and finish second this year. This year Sarah drew Brittney Hatzell from Billings Central who defeated Whitefish's Brielle Menegazzi to finish third.

"Sarah can take great pride in knowing she is one on only a few tennis players in Montana to ever qualify for the state tournament all four years in high school," the coach said.