Divisional time for AA, B netters
High school divisional tennis action heats up this week with Eureka and Flathead getting the jump on Class A schools.
The Western B Divisional gets under way Friday at 9 a.m. in Libby and includes Eureka, Mission and Troy in girls play and Mission and Troy in boys action.
The Troy boys and Eureka girls are defending divisional champions. Eureka will be shooting for four in a row, but could be tested by Mission.
Play concludes Saturday with five singles players and four doubles teams advancing to the state tournament, which is scheduled for Missoula on May 19-21.
Eureka qualified two doubles teams and three in singles.
"That was the most since I"ve been coaching," said Eureka coach Dave Loy, now in his 12th season.
"We have a pretty good shot at sending two doubles teams (again)."
And sending seven for a second straight time?
"We could," he said.
Cara Parrish, senior/Bailey Dierman, senior are the only two returning state qualifiers for the Lions. They finished third at the divisional in 2004.
Seven of Eureka's eight divisionals are seniors.
In singles play, Jennifer Bruns has held the No. 1 spot all season. She will have to challenge Sara Ashley of Mission and Emily Brown of Troy for the divisional title.
Ashley has beaten Bruns this season while Bruns has split with Brown.
"Jennifer got sixth place last year (at divisional)," said Loy.
"Just missed out (on state)."
At the Class AA Northern Divisional, today, 1 p.m., and Thursday, 8 a.m., in Great Falls, joining Flathead are C.M. Russell, Great Falls High.
Butte, which competed in this event a year ago, travels to divisional action this year in Helena for the AA Central Divisional.
Flathead finished second in both boys and girls action to CMR a year ago on the team front. FHS qualified seven players for state.
The top four singles players and doubles team move on to state, May 20-21 in Bozeman.
Flathead's returning state qualifiers are senior Dayson Singles, who qualified in doubles, but this year has played No. 1 singles for the Braves; senior Kelli Walterskirchen, who qualified in singles, but has moved to doubles this year; and senior Jenessa Hatfield in singles.
"He's had a fabulous season," said FHS coach Buck Measure of Mathison.
"He's coming off a second place win last weekend at our Flathead Invite, also a second place at the Missoula Invite. He's just a very smart player with an incredible touch on the tennis ball."
Walterskirchen for her final season, has teammed up with sophomore Sarah Newgard in doubles. That combo has played in the No. 1 slot for the Bravettes all season.
Measure says Walterskirchen brings quickness, strength and smarts to the doubles game while Newgard uses her height and net play to balance the team out.
Hatfield was the Bravettes No. 2 singles player last year. She's now No. 1.
"She's playing well," said Measure.
"Her record does not indicate her (true) abilities (and skill). She's had to go up against some very skilled players."
Measure says Hatfield utilizes her strong backhand and great baseline play to hang tough in matches.
"They're all at their peak right now," said Measure of his players.
"They all decided to shine at the end of the season."
Flathead Lineup
Boys
Singles - Dayson Mathison, senior; Dan Lard, senior; Travis Vaughn, senior; Quincy Moore, senior.
Doubles - Tyler Barth, senior/Gabe Dawson,senior; Greg Radell, senior/Chase Matteson, junior; Ryan Gregg, junior/Josh Brann, freshman
Girls
Singles - Jenessa Hatfield, senior; Danielle Newton, senior, Kelsey Corrigan, senior; Heather Wallace, junior
Doubles - Kelly Walterskirchen, senior/Sarah Newgard, sophomore; Mallory Pisk, junior/Jennifer Fallon, senior; Alix Dixson, sophomore/Hannah Hanes, sophomore.
Eureka Lineup
Singles - Jennifer Bruns, senior; Aita Rubi, senior; Beca Richard, senior; Whitney Benedict, junior.
Doubles - Cara Parrish, senior/Bailey Dierman, senior; Amber Stacy, senior/Edith Gavriel, senior.