Tennis: Polson in state title hunt

The Polson boys tennis team looks to defend its state championship from last season as they enter tonight’s state tournament in Billings with a handful of top contenders.

The Pirates, who tied for the title last season with Billings Central, is looking to bring back its first undivided state title in school history.

Top-seeded Pirates singles player Brady Hislop opens his tournament against Livingston’s Noble Vance. Hislop didn’t drop a game last week at the Northwestern A divisional on his way to his second divisional championship. He is one of a few players that could contend with two-time defending state champion Dillon Meyer of Billings Central for the individual title. Corvallis’ DJ Pekoc and Havre’s Jeff Miller also enter off divisional wins.

“All three of those boys are vastly improved this year,” Polson coach Bob Hislop said. “It’s going to a matter of having a good day.”

Whitefish’s Holden Roberts opens with Anaconda’s Carsen Boynton opposite Meyer in the first round. Columbia Falls’ Gavin Thelen will play Livingston’s John Potenberg opposite Pekoc and Polson’s Quaid Harlan opens against Miller.

Polson’s top doubles pair of Dylan McCrumb and Layne Zimmerman enter as one of three favorites for a state title, with McCrumb returning from a runner-up finish in singles and Zimmerman placing in doubles last season. Billings Central’s John Knisley and Harrison Fagg and Butte Central’s Kale Guldseth and Tyler Trudnowski should also contend.

McCrumb and Zimmerman open against Stevensville’s Colton Belcourt and Joseph Fecteau. Libby’s Jason Schnackenberg and Cody Wood play Corvallis’ Porter and Shade Jessop to start, Whitefish’s Logan Blades and Nathan Fauth open with Stevi’s Lars Larson and Noah Landgraf and Columbia Falls’ Mason Gedlaman and Caleb Baumann play Guldseth and Trudnowski.

The Polson girls, while not expected to contend for a team title like the boys, still have plenty of fire power.

Most of the Pirates punch comes in doubles this season, where they have two teams that could threaten to take home hardware.

Mollybeth Hendrix and Taylor Rost took the top spot at divisionals last week and look like one of the favorites at state, opening against Livingston’s Tegan and Lindsay Lane. Karly Rochin and Marlee Congdon play Anaconda’s Ashley Johnson and Dallas Salle in the first round and will have to defeat the top Eastern pair of Hannah Ware and Katie McCleary of Hardin for a shot at the title.

Whitefish also has a pair of duos at the meet, Caroline Carbo and Heather Luedke opening with Havre’s Ellery Bresler and Breck Don and McKenzie Wick and Anna Peterson starting with the Central’s top team of Mariel Kelley and Emilee Coleman of Livingston.

Columbia Falls’ Emily Getts looks to get back on track in singles play, coming off a tough win at divisional last week. She plays Glendive’s Annie Hill in the first round. Billings Central’s Barclay Fagg, the state runner up last season, and Corvallis’ Laramie McHugh enter as the tournament favorites. Havre’s Brandy Lambourne, one of the best athletes at the meet, enters as the Central’s top seed.

Polson’s Shawna Oakley opens against Hardin’s Chrissy Weibert in the first round and sister Shannon Oakley plays Fagg. Whitefish’s Sloan Ellis opens with Hardin’s Alce Cai.

“I think we have a very good chance for trophies on both sides,” Bob Hislop said.

Tournament play concludes on Friday.