Libby, Columbia Falls split Northwestern A court action

LIBBY — A near-perfect day weather-wise produced some thrilling matches in a Northwestern A tennis dual between Columbia Falls and Libby Thursday afternoon.

The Libby boys breezed to a 6-1 victory while the Columbia Falls girls battled hard for a 4-3 win.

The Nos. 2-3 boys doubles matches went three sets as did No. 2 singles and Nos. 1-2 doubles for the girls.

“It was a great day, mid-80s,” Libby coach Kyle Hannah said.

“In the heat of the weather, the boys played extremely well. The No. 1 doubles (Lane Luscher and Ian Myslicki) played the best they have played all year.”

Hannah said his top two doubles teams — Kaya Hardgrove and Kaylene Hudson and Melanie Thomas and Kira Rose — won their first conference matches of the season.

“It was a hard-fought match all day long,” Hannah said. “Good tennis.”

Boys

Libby 6, Columbia Falls 1

Singles — Jason Schnackenberg, L, won by forfeit; Danny Leggins, L, def. Trystan Butcher, 6-0, 6-0; Patrick Valentine, L, def. Chris Whittcamp, 6-1, 6-1; Elijan Miller, L, def. Grant Wallace, 6-1, 6-4.

Doubles — Lane Luscher/Ian Myslicki, L, def. Andrew West/Nathan Gedlaman, 6-3, 6-3; Gavin Thelan/Casey Burgduff, CF, def. Josh Broderick/Juan Rios, 6-0, 3-6, 6-4; Austin Nagle/Adam Kirschenmann, L, def. Logan Carr/Evan Wells, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4.

Girls

Columbia Falls 4, Libby 3

Singles — Emily Getts, CF, def. Erin Rogers, 6-0, 6-0; Harley Malmstrom, L, def. Emma Covill, 0-6, 6-3, 6-2; Gabby Keller, CF, def. Sarah McBride, 6-1, 6-2; McKenna Emmerich, CF, def. McKenzie Cosgriff, 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles — Kaya Hardgrove/Kaylene Hudson, L, def. Kiersten Wendt/Micinze Christopherson, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2; Melanie Thomas/Kira Rose, L, def. Courtney Seward/Hailey Sapa, 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5); Sonesta Bellow/Baylee Brinton, CF, def. Katie Alspaw/Cheyanne Carlson, 6-0, 6-0.