Flathead netters make big gains
<p>Flathead’s Willow Fantino stretches to make a return during a singles match against Bigfork’s Alanis Stallknecht at Flathead Valley Community College Monday afternoon.</p>
<p>Bigfork’s Colter Mahlum returns a serve during a singles match with Flathead’s Andrew Klingensmith at Flathead Valley Community College Monday afternoon.</p>
Flathead’s tennis squads continue to improve and impress coach Jeff Anderson.
The Braves and Bravettes squared off with a spring-break depleted Bigfork team on Monday on the courts at Flathead Valley Community College.
The FHS boys won 2-1 while the FHS girls claimed a 5-2 victory.
“We had our No. 1 and 2 singles players out today,” Anderson said of Glenn Strickler and Jon Pfeifer.
“We had a couple of our boys — Andrew Klingensmith and Jeremy Zug — step up (into those spots) and played really well.”
Strickler and Pfeifer are sidelined with injury and illness issues.
“Boys doubles — Miles Sorlie and Tucker Moe — are starting to play together much better as a (doubles) team,” Anderson said.
“They’ve won their last couple matches. They are starting to jell.”
The Bravettes were also missing a few players, but also had players fill those lineup positions quite well.
“Ashli Petek and Anna Wilheim, again, stepped up into the top two positions and even though they are not getting wins, they are playing well,” Anderson said.
“I’m excited for them. They are getting good, tough experience.
“I have to give credit to our girls doubles teams today,” Anderson continued.
“They all picked up wins. It was fun to see them having fun out on the court.”
Up next for Flathead is the crosstown match today at FVCC at 3 p.m.
Boys
Flathead 2, Bigfork 1
Singles — Colter Mahlum, B, def. Andrew Klingensmith, 8-5; Jeremy Zug, F, def. Logan Lamm, 8-3.
Doubles — Miles Sorlie/Tucker Moe, F, def. Mahlum/Lamm, 8-3.
Girls
Flathead 5, Bigfork 2
Singles — Kianna Wicklund, B, def. Ashli Petek, 8-1; Shelby Scoggins, B, def. Anna Milheim, 8-1; Willow Fantino, F, def. Alanis Stallknecht, 9-8; Alexandra Moe, F, def. Madison Fraley, 8-1.
Doubles — Annie Marshall/Isabelle Brooks, F, def. Wicklund/Stallknecht, 8-5; Emily King/Dana Pfeifer, F, def. Alex Hider/Fraley, 8-2; Jaycee Rocha/Bayne Tilton, F, def. Scoggins/Mariah Bradstreet, 9-8.