Glacier lands five in tennis semis

BOZEMAN - Glacier's Kellen Bates, Liana Bates and Hailey Blalack along with doubles players Cami Mathison and Veronica Walton have all advanced to semifinal action at the Class AA state tennis tournament.

Kellen Bates, now 21-0, won his first two matches 6-0, 6-2 and 6-1, 6-1. He will face Lee Fritsen of Missoula Hellgate today in the semis.

"He's played very solid," Glacier coach Josh Munro said. "He has done everything he has needed to do so far."

Liana Bates was just as impressive, posting scores of 6-1, 6-1 and 6-2, 6-0 in her two rounds. She will now face Molly Crum of Great Falls High, whom she has beaten twice this year.

Blalack knocked off the No. 1 seed from the Western division, Dani Sheridan of Missoula Big Sky, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round. She followed that with a 6-0, 6-0 verdict.

Sheridan finished fourth at state last year.

"It was a tough match," Munro said.

"She beat her (Sheridan) earlier in straight sets. State brings out the best in girls."

Defending state champ Ellie Crum of Great Falls is also a semifinalist.

Mathison and Walton survived a tough go with Bozeman's Kaylee Litle and Lisa Lee 6-4, 7-6 (7-4).

"A very close tough match," Munro said.

"Now they have Billings West in the morning.

It will be a fun one."

Mathison and Walton have lost just once this spring, and Liana Bates has just two losses, both to Ellie Crum.

Semifinal action today begins at 9 a.m.

"We're in the running," Munro said on the team side.

"Both boys and girls. We'll see how tomorrow plays out."