Bates, Kulikova net titles in AA state singles

Glacier’s Kellen Bates claimed his 3-peat, unfortunately for the Glacer girls, they came up a point short.

Bates defeated Alex Braun of Missoula Hellgate, 6-3, 7-5 to claim his third-straight Class AA state singles tennis title on Saturday at Playfair Park.

The Glacier girls were denied a third-straight state championship by Bozeman.

“One point, one point,” Glacier coach Josh Munro said of the final difference.

“They (Bozeman Hawks) pulled an upset in the semifinals, beat Billings West. That sealed it ... put it one point out reach.”

Bozeman finished with a 30-point total. Great Falls High was third with 15.

“That was OK,” Munro said.

“We had our chances. Bozeman capitalized. They had some bad breaks (Friday), but they had the biggest break (Saturday).”

The Glacier girls finished 1-3-4 in singles. Katya Kulikova beat Molly Crum of Great Falls High 6-4, 6-4 in the title match.

Hailey Blalack downed Veronica Walton 7-6, 6-3 in the consolation final.

Glacier also had Hunter Blalack finish fourth in boys singles.

“Two singles champions, two second place teams, that’s pretty darn good,” Munro said.

“It’s a little bittersweet, but the kids worked hard. It was a great season.”

Hellgate repeated as boys champs with 52 points. Glacier totaled 26, followed by Helena High, 15, and Flathead, 4.

Flathead’s lone entrant, sophomore Glenn Strickler, just missed out on placing.

“He was two points out of a match of placing,” FHS coach Jeff Anderson said.

“Came down to the last points in the match.”

Blaker Miller of Hellgate defeated Strickler 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-5).

“That may have been the longest match of the tournament ... 3/1 hours long,” Anderson said.

“(If Strickler) would won, he would have been in for third and fourth. He legitimately finished in the top six.

“Glenn had his best tournament of the year,” Anderson added.

“Even though he finished on a loss, was so close to placing, he should be pleased with his efforts. He had a super tournament.”

State AA Tennis Tournament

Saturday at Playfair Park

BOYS

Team Totals

Missoula Hellgate 52, Glacier 26, Helena High 15, Flathead 4, Billings Senior 3, Billings West 3, Missoula Sentinel 3, Billings Skyview 2, Butte 2, Helena Capital 1, Missoula Big Sky 1, Bozeman 0, Great Falls CMR 0, Great Falls High 0.

Singles

Semifinals – Alex Braun, Hgt, def. Hunter Blalack, Gla, 6-4, 6-3; Kellen Bates, Gla, def. Blake Miller, Hgt, 6-1, 6-2.

Championship – Bates def. Braun, 6-3, 7-5.

Consolation – Miller def. Blalack, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.

Doubles

Semifinals – Lee Fritsen/Dylan Harvala, Hgt, def. Reid Birgenheier/Nick Klaudt, Hgt, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2; Will Ballew/Avery Howard, Hgt, def. Tyler Krushensky/Colin Harris, Hel, 7-5, 7-5.

Championship – Ballew/Howard def. Fritsen/Harvala, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4).

Consolation – Krushensky/Harris def. Jake Peevey/Daniel Harvala, 6-4, 6-0.

GIRLS

Team scores: Bozeman 30, Glacier 29, Great Falls High 15, Billings West 13, Great Falls CMR 8, Missoula Hellgate 7, Billings Senior 6, Helena Capital 3, Missoula Sentinel 1, Billings Skyview 0, Butte 0, Flathead 0, Helena High 0, Missoula Big Sky 0.

Singles

Semifinals – Katya Kulikova, Gla, def. Veronica Walton, Gla, 6-3, 6-2; Molly Crum, GFH, def. Hailey Blalack, Gla, 6-4, 6-2.

Championship – Kulikova def. Crum, 6-4, 6-4.

Consolation – Blalack def. Walton 7-6, 6-3.

Doubles

Semifinals – Cortney Collins/Madison Pederson, Boz, def. Hailey Swain/Gillian Burgan, West, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3; Madi Henning/Christine Olivo, Boz, def. Lise Spencer/Lindsay Martinez, CMR, 6-2, 6-0.

Championship – Henning/Olivo def. Collins/Pederen, 6-1, 7-5.

Consolation – Spencer/Martinez def. Swain/Burgan, 6-1, 6-3.