Glacier ready to make noise at AA state tennis

Glacier has the numbers - seven boys and seven girls - and more than enough talent to dictate how things pan out this weekend at the Class AA state tennis tournament in Great Falls.

The Glacier girls are led by defending state doubles champ Cami Mathison and Veronica Walton and three-time state singles runner-up Liana Bates.

Those three guided the Wolfpack to their first state title a year ago.

The Glacier boys are led by state singles champ Kellen Bates, who has not lost a prep match in two seasons. The Wolfpack tied for second last year with Billings Senior. Missoula Hellgate ran off with the boys title.

Hellgate, like Glacier, will have 14 entrants at state, but with a different mix - 11 boys and three girls.

Bozeman is next with 10 participants.

"They look pretty tough, from top to bottom," Glacier coach Josh Munro said of Hellgate.

"It will definitely be a challenge (to knock them off)."

Munro said his girls are "pretty solid favorites. We have a lot of depth. We have a stronger placing potential (than the other teams)."

Play starts today 9 a.m. on the courts at C.M. Russell High School and Meadowlark County Club. The tournament ends Saturday.

"It will be a fun tournament," Munro said.

"There will be some key matches early (that could decide team titles) for both boys and girls."

Girls

First Round

Singles

Liana Bates, G, vs. Maddie Peterson, Bozeman

Hailey Blalack, G, vs. Ranae Ockford, Bozeman

Katya Kulikova, G, vs. Courtney Collins, Bozeman

Doubles

Amy Snipstead/Kailea Vaudt, G, vs. Claire Rappold/Morgan Simkins, Missoula Hellgate

Cami Mathison/Veronica Walton, G, vs. Darbi Anderson/Katie Tabaracci, Missoula Sentinel

Boys

Glenn Strickler, F, vs. Tony Mayer, Missoula Hellgate

Kellen Bates, G, vs. Lucas Veteto, Missoula Sentinel

Doubles

Ryan Schmauch/Ryan Edwards, G, vs. Nick Pelensky/Nick Staffileno, Billings Senior

Karl Hellwig/Evan Froystad, G, vs. Hunter Hauptman/Bridger Blain, Billings Senior

Brandon Simpson/Patrick Phattaraampornchai, G, vs. Ryan Wheeler/Trais Woodley, Billings West