Flathead, Glacier netters to compete for state bids

Glacier and Flathead each brought full teams to Great Falls today in hopes of making an impact at the Northern AA divisional tennis tournament the next two days.

Each team brings a handful of contenders, and a few returning state qualifiers that could challenge for a title.

Glacier enters with one of the favorites in boys singles in Hunter Blalack, along with contenders in Holland Blalack and Eli Hertlein. The Wolfpack also looks to contend for spots at state in doubles with the teams of Spencer Johnson and Greg Jones and Sam Stern and Kyler Harkins.

“There’s a lot of potential for everyone to get to state,” Glacier coach Josh Munro said.

The Wolfpack hopes to lean on its doubles teams, where they have had success this season. All four girls doubles pairings look like contenders for a spot at state.

The doubles pairing of Kali Mathison and Kayla Harwood have led the way for Glacier this season.

“Our singles players are very capable but it seems like we have an edge on the doubles side,” Munro said.

Flathead’s Glenn Strickler has qualified for state every year of his high school career and enters as the top singles player for the Braves.

The doubles teams of Tristen Dills and Eric West and Joey Wisher and Kody Butts enter the tournament at the top of their games. Daniel Olszewski and Daniel Tame also hope to contend.

The Bravettes’ Jenna Jensen and Katie Goodnough hope to contend in girls doubles. Jensen has played the last few weeks at singles while testing for International Baccalaureate programs, finishing second at No. 3 singles at the Helena Invitational and winning the Missoula Invite the week before.

“We’re excited about it,” Flathead coach Sue Corrigan said. “We’re hoping to do well. The kids are excited about playing. We’ll see what they can do.”

Play starts at noon tomorrow. The top four individuals and doubles teams advance to the state tournament.