Crosstown tennis: Glacier boys romp; Flathead girls net tie

The Glacier boys were in their usual dominant form, cruising past Flathead in the first crosstown matchup of the season 7-0 on Thursday at the courts at Flathead Valley Community College.

The big news, however, was on the girls side.

For the first time in crosstown history, Flathead was not on the losing end of this one. The Bravettes managed to tie the Wolfpack 4-4.

“That was a big deal for us,” Flathead coach Rick Berreth said.

“We’re making progress. I think they are pretty excited.”

Flathead won at No. 1 and 2 singles with Jenna Jensen and Ellie Berreth and at No. 1 and 4 doubles with Claire Bradley and Bailey Bladholm and Courtney Rufenach and Hannah Holderbaum.

The Rufenach and Holderbaum outing was the deciding match. They beat Glacier’s Tessa Howe and Abby Schrade 6-7 (5), 7-5, 1-0 (7).

“We won the first set in a tie-breaker,” Glacier coach Josh Munro said.

“Their girls battled back.

“Unfortunate for us, but a good sign for Flathead and tennis in the valley,” he said of the outcome.

“Congratulations to them. It was hard-fought, good-close battles. That makes it fun. It’s going to be a competitive season.”

Jensen improved her record to 4-2 on the season with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Kali Mathison.

“She was struggling,” Berreth said of Jensen in the early going.

“I talked to her a little bit and she righted the ship, started believing in herself and then it took off for her.”

He said Jensen “was overhitting” to start off.

“Being a senior and calming down (is what won it for her),” he said.

Glacier’s Hunter Blalack breezed to a 6-0, 6-0 win over Daniel Olszewski at No. 1 singles.

Spencer Johnson was in control at No. 2, besting Kody Butts 6-1, 6-0.

Matt LeGrandeur won at No. 4 singles 6-1, 6-0 over Manny Salazar.

Three of the four doubles matches were more competitive.

Boys

Glacier 8, Flathead 0

Singles — Hunter Blalack, G, def. Daniel Olszewski, 6-0, 6-0; Spencer Johnson, G, Kody Butts, 6-1, 6-0; Grant Germann, G, def. James Flannigan, 6-4, 7-5; Matt LaGrandeur, G, def. Manny Salazar, 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles — Sam Stern/Holland Blalack, G, def. Eric West/Tristan Dills, 6-2, 7-5; Hunter Danz/Chazz Upton, G, def. Rydell Welk/Ryan Keenan, 6-3, 6-1; Johnny DuFour/Nick Vanderbeek, G, def. Ridge Lembke/Alex Waylich, 6-1, 6-1; Dylan Eve/Tyler Keller, G, def. Giuseppi Virchosi/Conrad Hedinger, 6-4, 6-3.

Girls

Flathead 4, Glacier 4

Singles — Jenna Jensen, F, def. Kali Mathison, 7-5, 6-2; Ellie Berreth, F, def. Amber Hamblin, 6-0, 6-3; Shelby Odell, G, def. Kori Mooney, 6-1, 6-1; McKenna Tinseth, G, def. Beth Brash, 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles — Claire Bradley/Bailey Bladholm, F, def. Olivia Malchi/Caitlin Ward, 6-3, 6-4; Maya Buckingham/Anna Cecil, G, def. Morgan Corkish/Emily Dardish, 6-2, 6-0; McKenna Johnson/Sarah Seynei, G, def. Lauren McCarter/Nat Phattipaitoon, 6-2, 6-1; Courtney Rufenach/Hannah Holderbaum, F, def. Tessa Howe/Abby Schrade, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 1-0 (7).