Glacier, Flathead split in tennis dual

The Daily Inter Lake

Conditions were less than ideal - cold and very windy - but tennis squads from Glacier and Flathead managed to brave the elements to open the season on schedule Tuesday at the Flathead Valley Community College courts.

Glacier's girls posted a 6-1 victory over the Bravettes, while the FHS boys prevailed 7-0 over the Wolfpack.

"I think it was a great start for the kids," Glacier coach Josh Munro said.

"The girls have a lot of previous experience, even though they are younger. They played very well."

Munro said despite his boys' squad being very inexperienced, they held up well to a talented Braves team.

"Especially at No. 3 and 4 singles," Munro said.

"Both (Glacier players) came back hard to get back in those matches."

Munro said Brandon Simpson tied his match in the second set 3-3 before losing to Flathead's Ben Stone, 6-0, 6-3.

At No. 4 singles, Glacier's Dan Howell came up short versus Justin Mailman, who won 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

"Dan got it pretty close there," Munro said.

In girls' play, Glacier swept singles play - Liana Bates, Cami Mathison, Mary Snipstead and Kayla Nelson - and collected wins at No. 1 - Rachel Sherrill/Genna Boyer - and 3 - Hillary Secrist/Ann Koenig - doubles.

Winning 6-0, 6-0 on the day were Snipstead and Flathead's Wes Mathison and Erik Skybak in singles and Josh Braun/Cody Harrison in doubles.

Glacier and Flathead head to Missoula on Saturday for three dual matches versus AA schools from Missoula and Helena. Play starts at 9 a.m.

Girls

Glacier 6, Flathead 1

Singles - Liana Bates, G, def. Izzy Makman, 6-2, 6-4; Cami Mathison, G, def. Melanie Nelson, 6-1, 6-2; Mary Snipstead, G, def. Kinlie Johnson, 6-0, 6-0; Kayla Nelson, G, def. Kenisha Himsl, 6-2, 6-0.

Doubles - Rachel Sherrill/Genna Boyer, G, def. Shannon Ballard/Jordan Gentry, 4-6, 7-5, 7-5; Sarsten Noice/Olivia Heinle, F, def. Arica Avila/Katlyn Hacke, 6-4, 6-1; Hillary Secrist/Ann Koenig, G, def. Maxine Sugarman/Kelsie Leu, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Boys

Flathead 7, Glacier 0

Singles - Wes Mathison, F, def. Tyson Howe, 6-0, 6-0; Erik Skybak, F, def. John Patrick, 6-0, 6-0; Ben Stone, F, def. Brandon Simpson, 6-0, 6-3; Justin Mailman, F, def. Dan Howell, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2.

Doubles - Josh Braun/Cody Harrison, F, def. Jon Hammett/Kyle Schmauch, 6-0, 6-0; Tim Praetzell/Chreston Knaff, F, def. Tyler Russell/Michael Boettcher, 6-2, 6-1; Jon Cattron/George Millheim, F, def. Juan-Pablo Gevaudan/Kyle Leduck, 6-4, 6-2.