Tennis: Flathead plays host to Northern divsional

The Flathead tennis teams will look to take advantage of a newly-lightened playing field when they host the Northern AA divisional tournament, beginning today at Flathead Valley Community College.

With crosstown rivals Glacier leaving the division, there are more open spots at the state tournament for the Braves and Bravettes when they play host to Great Falls High and C.M. Russell.

Tristan Dills, who made the semifinals in doubles last season, will move over to singles play and have a chance to compete for a title. Having played in doubles all season, Dills’ teammate had a scheduling conflict with International Baccalaureate testing, leaving the accomplished player free to compete on his own. Many of the Braves and Bravettes have run into conflicts while IB testing is conducted at the school this week and next.

Also in the running for a state seed in singles will be Great Falls’ Miggy Sanpedro and Eric Abarr and CMR’s Ray Munns.

Eric West and James Flannigan will be among the best doubles parings for Flathead.

The Bravettes’ Jenna Jensen will be among the top singles players on the girls side, as will teammate Ellie Berreth.

“She has a top-notch game,” Flathead coach Rick Berreth said. “Ellie beat one of the two Great Falls girls in Helena ... We should be really solid in girls’ singles.”

They’ll have competition with Great Falls’ Abigail Davidson and CMR’s Elea Roberts.

The defending state singles champion, CMR’s Lindsay Martinez is playing doubles this season and will lead one of the divisional’s top pairings.

The tournament begins at noon at the FVCC tennis courts.

“That should be really fun for the kids,” Berreth said. “We’ve been doing so much driving this year its nice to get to stay at home for this.”