Boys tennis has a good core of returning players

The Columbia Falls boys tennis team will look to make its mark on the conference this season with several returning players.

The Wildcats will look for good things from seniors Miroslav Zvyagelskiy, Brian Marcille and Parker Johnson. Last year, Zvyagelskiy took fourth at state in doubles with his brother, Vadim.

Vadim graduated, but Miroslav has been playing all winter with coach Gary Yee, the coach said last week. Johnson also did well for the Cats last year at state, placing fifth in singles. Yee also expects good things from Caleb Baumann, Mason Gedlaman, Adam West and Josh Potter.

The team should see a surge of new faces — 28 boys turned out at practice last week as the team made it outside for the first time this season.

With just a week of practice under their belts, Yee hasn’t set lineups yet. In past years, some of the doubles squads didn’t really solidify until late in the season.

“I’d like to get four or five players to the state tournament this year,” Yee said.

The team is scheduled to open its season March 27 in Ronan. The first home match will be March 29 against Whitefish. Whitefish and Polson should be tough teams again this year.

Last season, the boys took fourth overall at the state tournament. This season’s state tourney will take place in Great Falls on May 24-26.