Wildcat netters edge Libby in tune-up for Divisionals

Every tennis coach wants his players to be on top of their game heading into the postseason, and Columbia Falls boys coach Gary Yee believes that is the case.

Coming off a 4-3 victory over Libby to cap the regular season Saturday, the Wildcats compete in the Western A Divisional Tournament Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Flathead Valley Community College and The Summit courts.

The Wildcats won only two varsity matches in a dual last Thursday at home against Whitefish as the Bulldogs earned a 5-2 victory.

Tim Spencer savored his first singles win of the season as he defeated Tyler Schiff in a three-set marathon. Scores were 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 10-5 in the No. 4 slot.

"He stayed relaxed in the third set," coach Gary Yee said of the super tie-breaker. "He got a little tight in the second set and was able to turn that around."

Grant Getts and Jake Ronish are on a roll going into the Divisional Tournament. The Wildcat duo swept Matt Whitehead and Zachariah Deister, 6-2, 6-0 in No. 1 doubles.

"They haven't dropped a set yet," Yee said and have clinched the No. 1 seed at Divisionals. "I don't think they've even peaked yet."

The Wildcats won three of four singles matches in the dual victory over Libby to cap the regular season as Yee shuffled his varsity lineup.

Playing at No. 1 singles, Getts swept Alex Cislo, 6-0, 6-4. At No. 2, Ronish won in split sets over Hunter Sheffield, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Vadim Zvyagelskiy rallied past Cody Ercanbrack, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

At No. 1 doubles, Scott Hopkins and Billy Garcia posted a 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 win over Cyrus Maloney and Nate Broden.

"Scott and Billy did a great job," Yee said.

Boys singles play in the Divisional Tournament begins at 3 p.m. Thursday, and the tourney resumes at 8 a.m. Friday.

"At 1 and 2 doubles we have a pretty good shot if they play up to their potential," Yee said of qualifying for state."

Yee spoke about singles.

"I think that's going to be a learning curve for us. We might squeeze one person in (to state)," the coach said.

Whitefish 5, Columbia Falls 2

Singles — Matt Harris, WF, def. Vadim Zvyagelskiy, 6-0, 6-0; Tanner Hosek, WF, def. Miroslav Zvyagelskiy, 6-3, 6-2; Joel Mallams, WF, def. Jon Riffey, 6-1, 6-2; Tim Spencer, CF, def. Tayler Schiff, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 10-5.

Doubles — Grant Getts/Jake Ronish, CF, def. Matt Whitehead/Zachariah Deister, 6-2, 6-0; Chase Pierce/Lucas Peace, WF, def. Brian Marcille/Parker Johnson, 6-1, 6-4; Jake Morrison/Travis Adams, WF, def. Scott Hopkins/Billy Garcia, 6-4, 1-6, 10-7.

CF 4, Libby 3

Singles — Grant Getts, CF, def. Alex Cislo, 6-0, 6-4; Jake Ronish, CF, def. Hunter Sheffield, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2; Cree Maloney, L, def. Miroslav Zvyagelskiy, 6-2, 6-2; Vadim Zvyagelskiy, CF, def. Cody Ercanbrack, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Doubles — Scott Hopkins/Billy Garcia, CF, def. Cyrus Maloney/Nate Broden, 2-6, 7-5, 6-4; Jesse Ramos/Lewis Brossman, L, def. Brian Marcille/Parker Johnson, 6-3, 6-2; Derek Williams/Levi Edwards, L, def. Tim Spencer/Jon Riffey, 6-3, 6-2.

'Kats prepare for post-season

Columbia Falls had a final tune-up for this week's Western A Divisional Tournament with girls tennis action against Whitefish last Thursday and Libby on Saturday.

Whitefish posted a 5-2 victory over the Wildkats in Whitefish, as C-Falls picked up two wins in singles matches — both in straight sets.

Natalie Law defeated Courtney Wilder, 6-1, 6-1 in No. 3 spot. At No. 4, Gabi Stenger swept Bailey Chauncer, 6-2, 6-3.

Aysia Potter and Franki Anderson played well in No. 3 doubles, winning the second set. Caroline Stokes and Hannah Weaver of Whitefish won the match, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Stenger was the Wildkats' only match winner in the dual against Libby at Columbia Park on Saturday. Stenger rallied from a first-set loss for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Chelsey Oedewaldt.

Lydia Freeman of C-Falls played Audra Poppen tough in the second game in particular, but Poppen won in straight sets. Potter teamed with Pepper Borland in doubles, winning the first set, but Alissa Buti and Kyle O'Brien came back for the split set win.

In exhibition action against Eureka on May 5, Borland and Cailey Philmon won a pro set, 8-3, while Courtney Tamburelli and Sierra Bauer won their set, 8-1.

C-Falls junior varsity players have completed their season. Results May 2 against Polson follow the varsity results against Whitefish and Libby.

The Western A Divisional Tournament is Thursday, Friday and Saturday at the Flathead Valley Community College and The Summit courts. Play begins at 3 p.m. Thursday and resumes at 8 a.m. Friday in the double-elimination tournament.

C-Falls coach Jerry Smalley said the Wildkats are looking forward to competing at Divisionals.

"It will be fun to see how our two freshmen, Natalie and Gabi, compete with players from other teams in the singles division," Smalley said.

The Wildkat lineup for the Divisional Tournament:

Singles — 1. Laura Burgi; 2. Freeman; 3. Law; 4. Stenger.

Doubles — 1. Raymond/Hobbs; 2. Getts/Bartkoski; 3. Potter/Anderson.

This will be the last Divisional tournament for five Wildkat seniors — Burgi, Freeman, Raymond, Hobbs and Potter.

The top four singles finishers and top four doubles teams qualify for the state tournament May 21-23, also in Kalispell.

Whitefish 5, Columbia Falls 2

Singles — Kate Klundt, WF, def. Lydia Freeman, 6-1, 6-0; Meredith Reed, WF, def. Pepper Borland, 6-0, 6-1; Natalie Law, CF, def. Courtney Wilder, 6-1, 6-1; Gabi Stenger, CF, def. Bailey Chauncer, 6-2, 6-3.

Doubles — McCara Cullin/Ann Miller, WF, def. Shelby Hobbs/Laura Burgi, 6-1, 6-3; Becca Rozar/Chelsi Birgensmith, WF, def. Marissa Getts/Lexie Bartkoski, 6-3, 6-0; Caroline Stokes/Hannah Weaver, WF, def. Aysia Potter/Franki Anderson, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Libby 6, Columbia Falls 1

Singles — Jackie Mee, L, def. Laura Burgi, 6-1, 6-0; Audra Poppen, L, def. Lydia Freeman, 6-2, 6-4; Lindsey Kehn, L, def. Natalie Law, 4-6, 7-5, 6-4; Gabi Stenger, CF, def. Chelsey Oedewaldt, 4-6, 6-1, 6-3.

Doubles — Nichole Newman/Anna Valentine, L, def. Steph Raymond/Shelby Hobbs, 6-2, 6-1; Ashley Shaw/Tawnya Granger, L, def. Marissa Getts/Lexie Bartkoski, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4; Alissa Buti/Kyle O'Brien, L, def. Aysia Potter/Pepper Borland, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.