Bigfork tennis sweeps Stevi, splits with Polson

The Bigfork boys and girls tennis teams found some success last Friday in Polson even though both teams were missing players who had left early for spring break. Both teams beat Stevensville 7-0, the boys beat Polson 4-3 and the girls lost to Polson 4-3.

"The kids all played really well," said Bigfork High School Assistant Tennis Coach Denny Sabo. "We were short some kids, but everyone that played did a great job and played really hard."

Scott Taylor led the boys, defeating Matt Roberts, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5). Sean Barrett won the number two match for Bigfork, 6-3, 6-3, over Schad Giles. Ryan Gembala lost to Polson's Seth Hovenkotter after winning the first game 7-5 and then losing 6-4, 7-6 (7-4). Evan Jordt got Bigfork back on the winning side of things when he beat Andrew Storro, 6-0, 6-0.

The Bigfork boys had to forfeit their number one doubles match because they were short on players. Then Cole Francisco and Nate Robertson lost to Polson's Christian McCurdy and Justin Evertz, 6-0, 6-2. With team scores tied at three wins apiece, Bigfork's John Lyon and Dylan Rickenbach took out Sam Peel and Nation Garza, 6-2, 6-2.

"The boys team has three highly qualified top divisional level players who are leading the team," Sabo said. "They are the result of three or four years of contribution to the team. The newer players are doing a good job of learning and coming up to speed."

Kelly Deaton had Bigfork's only loss in girls singles play. She was defeated by Polson's Jane Probst, 6-3, 6-0, in the number one match. Jade Bosic turned things around for Bigfork in the number two match, defeating Danielle Kinion, 6-1, 6-1. Nicolette Peterson followed with another win for the Vals, beating Shayla McDonald, 6-0, 6-2.

Bigfork lost all four doubles matches and allowed Polson to win in team points. Ariana Shults and Jenn Wirth lost the number one match to Kayla Rochin and Kendyall Rochin, 6-4, 6-3. Ann Marie Loise and Ariel Stallknecht lost the second match to Heather Mathison and Kelsie Jones, 6-1, 6-0. Mckinze Shults and Kianna Wicklund lost the final doubles match to Sara Keeble and Kelsie Howell, 6-3, 6-1.

"The girls have a real solid team from top to bottom," Sabo said. "The top three girls are very strong players and there isn't too big of a difference between them and the ones below them."

Results were not available from the Vikes' and Vals' sweep of Stevensville.

Although this week is spring break, many of the players have been attending a voluntary practice for two hours each day. Sabo is coaching the practice which he said is focusing on ground strokes and fundamentals, including serving.

Bigfork's boys and girls tennis teams will face their next competition 4 p.m. Monday, April 13 at Flathead High School.