Flathead sends 7 to AA state tennis; Glacier 2

Flathead heads to the Class AA state tennis tournament with some good seedings and a little momentum.

That could make for a good showing in Bozeman this weekend.

Wes Mathison won singles, while Josh Brann and Cody Harrison claimed doubles at the Northern AA divisional last week in Kalispell. That helped Flathead repeat as champions.

By virtue of their victories, those three will open state play against the No. 4 finishers from other divisions.

The Flathead boys also have Erik Skybak and Brett Harrison competing in doubles. They finished third at the divisional.

The Flathead girls have one doubles team entered, No. 4 divisional finisher Jordan Gentry and Shannon Ballard.

Glacier is sending two singles players to its first state tournament. Cami Mathison finished second in the divisional and Liana Bates third.

Mathison, 16-5 in singles play, was a semifinalist at the Helena Invitational.

Bates, 17-2, won tournament titles in Missoula and Kalispell.

"Serve consistency and placement of serves, that's been the primary focus," Glacier coach Josh Munro said of what Mathison and Bates have worked on this week.

"Everything else, just keeping them hitting and talking about some of the players they will see at state."

Play starts 8 a.m. Friday. Boys' and girls' singles will be played at Montana State University. Boys' and girls' doubles will be held at Bozeman High School.

The girls open state play with the boys to follow.

Mathison will play Jenna Fiscus of Billings West in the first round. Bates' opening opponent is Risi Arguelles of Billings West.

"I've seen Risi a couple of times," Munro said.

"She's been to state in doubles. We've seen her around. The other girls is kind of an unknown."

AA State Tennis

At Bozeman

Friday's Pairings for Flathead and Glacier

Boys

Singles

First Round

(No. 1 Northern) Wes Mathison, Flathead, vs. (No. 4 West) Alec Shull, Missoula Sentinel

Doubles

(No. 1 Northern) Josh Brann/Cody Harrison, Flathead, vs. (No. 4 East) Kostelecky/Lee, Billings Skyview

(No. 3 Northern) Erik Skybak/Brett Harrison, Flathead, vs. (No. 2 East) Staffileno-Weaver, Senior

Girls

Singles

(No. 2 Northern) Cami Mathison, Glacier, vs. (No. 3 East) Jenna Fiscus, Billings West

(No. 3 Northern) Liana Bates, Glacier, vs. (No. 2 East) Risi Arguelles, Billings West

Doubles

(No. 4 Northern) Jorden Gentry/Shannon Ballard, Flathead vs. (No. 1 West) Emily Rolston/Lauren Crandall, Missoula Hellgate