TENNIS: Glacier, Flathead looking up at Bozeman entering state tournament
<p>Glacier senior Spencer Johnson smashes a ball during the championship match against teammate Holland Blalack at the Northern AA Divisional Tournament at Flathead Valley Community College on Friday, May 13, 2016. Johnson won in straight sets and only lost one game the entire tournament. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
GREAT FALLS — The Class AA field is as stacked as ever as state tournament play begins today.
Weather could be a factor as rain clouds loom over the forecast this weekend, but there are a handful of contenders that can take the state title.
Glacier senior Spencer Johnson enters as one of the favorites after sweeping the the Northern AA singles title last weekend. He will open against Missoula Hellgate’s Andrew Morsey in the first round.
“Spencer’s hitting a real nice ball right now,” Glacier coach Josh Munro said. “(He’s) really focused and knows what his game plan is going to be.”
Other contenders for the boys singles title include Bozeman’s Marcos Zelver, who is undefeated this season. Johnson has split with Zelver in USTA play of recent, though each enters playing at the top of his game.
Billings Senior’s Jay Montague won the Eastern AA last weekend and Fergus Pollard of Billings West has one of the most powerful swings in the state.
Glacier’s Holland Blalack, second at the Northern AA divisionals, opens against Missoula Sentinel’s Cody Curtis.
In doubles, Bozeman and Senior show their depth, and why they are considered favorites for the team title, along with Missoula Hellgate.
Glacier’s Ben Wright and Hunter Danz open against a duo from Billings West.
In girls singles, Bozeman’s Madison Shea and Heather Sikoski make a good case for the Hawks as an early team favorite. Billings Senior freshman Annie Woods is also among the favorites.
Flathead sophomore Ellie Berreth opens singles play against Billings Skyview’s Katie Hooton. The Bravettes’ Rayna Darrow opens against Senior’s Kirsten Kraske.
In doubles, where Bozeman is also a favorite, Glacier’s Caylli Mower and McKenna Johnson open against a team from Missoula Hellgate and Maya Buckingham and Anna Cecil against a team from Missoula Sentinel. Flathead’s Bailey Bladholm and Noel Senner also open against a duo from Sentinel.
Class AA State Championship
May 19-20, at Great Falls
First-round pairings (in bracket order)
BOYS
Singles: Jay Montague, Billings Senior, vs. Alex Hanson, Helena Capital; Holland Blalack, Glacier, vs. Cody Curtis, Missoula Sentinel; Jacob Treece, Missoula Sentinel, vs. Roy Munns, Great Falls CMR; Marcos Zelver, Bozeman, vs. Mick Mattie, Billings West; Jesse Howard, Missoula Hellgate, vs. Andrew Davidson, Great Falls; Fergus Pollard, Billings West, vs. Cory Bowlby, Helena; Jackson Pederson, Bozeman, vs. Dylan Burton, Billings West; Spencer Johnson, Glacier, vs. Andrew Morsey, Missoula Hellgate.
Doubles: Thomas/Driscoll, Billings Senior, vs. Dabler/Perry, Great Falls; Kuehn/Kuehn, Missoula Hellgate, vs. Bittner/Fretwell, Bozeman; Stagg/Collins, Bozeman, vs. Ramsbucher/Violette, Missoula Sentinel; Bakhuzien/Gibbs, Billings West, vs. Jackson/Lunn, Great Falls; Nord/Porter, Missoula Hellgate, vs. Boyer/Jakovac, Helena; Walker/Pulis, Billings West, vs. Wright/Danz, Glacier; Abarr/San Pedro, Great Falls, vs. Moller/Dyre, Billings Senior; Derby/Williams, Bozeman, vs. Noonan/Brown, Missoula Hellgate.
GIRLS
Singles: Annie Woods, Billings Senior, vs. Anna Johnson, Great Falls; Maddy Richardson, Missoula Hellgate, vs. Heather Sikoski, Bozeman; Hannah Amtmann, Butte, vs. Casey Nelson, Missoula Big Sky; Leslie Pazmino, Billings Senior, vs. Mackenzie George, Great Falls CMR; Sofia Panarella, Missoula Hellgate, vs. Abbie George, Helena; Kirsten Kraske, Billings Senior, vs. Rayna Darrow, Flathead; Ellie Berreth, Flathead, vs. Katie Hooton, Billings Skyview; Madison Shea, Bozeman, vs. Maya Nguyen-Haberneski, Missoula Hellgate.
Doubles: Khan/Dutton, Billings Skyview, vs. Powers/Powers, Helena Capital; Dart/Roady, Great Falls, vs. Keiper-Koenig, Missoula Hellgate; Panarella/Small, Missoula Hellgate, vs. Mower/Johnson, Glacier; Hays/Mailey, Bozeman, vs. Johnson/Parker, Billings West; Veteto/Warden, Missoula Sentinel, vs. Bladholm/Senner, Flathead; Dyre/Crawford, Billings Senior, vs. Mineau/Tu, Bozeman; Ward/Linkenbach, Bozeman, vs. Gilsdorf/Kirkland, Billings Senior; Buckingham/Cecil, Glacier, vs. Finch/Murdoch, Missoula Sentinel.