Bravette netters shine at first crosstown
You couldn’t have asked for a nicer day for crosstown tennis in Kalispell than Thursday.
The temperature rose to 60 degrees and the sun beamed brightly as things heated up on the court between Flathead and Glacier’s tennis teams at FVCC.
“I thought it was a great day for tennis,” Glacier coach Josh Munro said. “There were some really close and fun matches and it’s the first real look at everybody.”
Flathead’s girls impressed with an 8-0 sweep, and Glacier’s boys edged Flathead 5-3.
The No. 1 boys singles match between Glacier’s Rory Smith and Flathead lefty Nolan White was one of the most exciting of the day. Smith won 6-0, 7-6(9), but White kept things close.
“I think it really gave Nolan some confidence that he can play the defending state champ that close,” Flathead coach Jimmy Cripe said. “Hopefully that gives him confidence going forward.”
Joston Cripe of Flathead knocked off Glacier’s Ethan Purdy at No. 2 singles, and No. 1 doubles pair Kutuk White/Ethan Vandenbosch and No. 2 doubles pair Tommy Wells/Drew Lowry each won with two-set victories.
Cripe was impressed with his girls’ team, who pulled off a win in every match of the day.
At No. 1 singles, Emma Hawkins beat Glacier’s Mariah Dickey 6-1, 6-3. Avery Cherot won at No. 2 singles.
Marcella Mercer/Claire Morris were winners at No. 1 doubles, defeating Collette Daniels/Haven Speer 6-3, 7-5.
“We were pleasantly surprised with how well the girls played,” he said. “Pretty amazing.”
Flathead’s boys and girls teams are now 2-2 in duals this season. Glacier’s boys are undefeated at 4-0, and the girls are 1-3.
“We’ve got some growing to do with the girls’ side,” Munro said.
Missoula Big Sky is in town today, and will begin the day against Flathead’s girls at 9 a.m. and the Glacier boys at 10 a.m. at FVCC. The teams will switch off in the afternoon.
GIRLS
Flathead 8, Glacier 0
Singles
Emma Hawkins (Flathead) def. Mariah Dickey 6-1, 6-3. Avery Cherot (Flathead) def. Mackenzie Baker 6-0, 6-1. Mayson Moore (Flathead) def. Alexis Reiner 6-4, 6-1. Alexis Kersten (Flathead) def. Madi Bartlett 6-1, 6-0.
Doubles
Marcella Mercer/Claire Morris (Flathead) def. Colette Daniels/Haven Speer 6-3, 7-5. Bridget Crowley/Clare Converse (Flathead) def. Nicole Mitchell/Madison Johnson 7-6(2), 6-2. Jami Darrow/Marit Felton (Flathead) def. Tori Dobis/Katy Bitney 6-0, 6-0. Patricia Hinchey/Peyton Walseth (Flathead) def. Sarah Downs/Kendall VanAken (Glacier) 7-5, 7-5.
BOYS
Glacier 5, Flathead 3
Singles
Rory Smith (Glacier) def. Nolan White 6-0, 7-6(9). Joston Cripe (Flathead) def. Ethan Purdy 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. Will Rudbach (Glacier) def. Evan Sevaly 7-6(4), 7-5. Kyler Knutson (Glacier) def. Beau Desmul 6-2, 6-1.
Doubles
Kutuk White/Ethan Vandenbosch (Flathead) def. Alex Galloway/Harrison Sanders 6-3, 6-2. Tommy Wells/Drew Lowry (Flathead) def. Jake Keller/Simon Roston 6-3, 6-4. Trey Engellant/Calvin Schmidt (Glacier) def. Liam Rehbein/Ezra Epperly 6-3, 7-6(6). Ethan Woods/Timmy Glanville (Glacier) def. Cody Ramer/Quaid Ring 6-3, 6-4.