Flathead’s boys scored a 7-1 win over Helena Capital to highlight the first tennis outing for the school, in duals played Saturday at Flathead Valley Community College.
“We had some nice results and played pretty well for our first match of the season,” Flathead coach Jimmy Cripe said. “I felt our girls were nervous and played a bit tentatively, but were up against very strong competition.”
Capital won the girls’ dual 6-2, though Cripe was happy to see his Nos. 1 and 4 doubles teams score wins: Marcella Mercer and Claire Morris, and Marit Felton and Sophia Dykhuizen.
Helena High swept the Braves and Bravettes, who were hurt by lack of availability because of Flathead’s prom.
The Bengals beat the Braves 7-1, with Kutuk White (who won twice Saturday) scoring Flathead’s lone win, at No. 2 singles. The Helena girls beat the Bravettes 6-2, with Alexis Kersten and Kami Darrow getting Flathead’s wins at 1 and 2 singles.
Both the boys’ and girls’ teams had to default three matches for lack of players.
Boys
Flathead def Capital 7-1
Singles — Nolan White, Flathead, def Ryan Ashley 3-6, 6-4,10-8; Kutuk White, Flathead, def. Gabe Sova 6-0,6-0; Evan Sevaly, Flathead def Wes Rose 6-0,6-1; Ezra Epperly, Flathead, def. Kade O’Brian 6-2, 6-2.
Doubles — Jerrick Olson/Ashton Shipley, Capital, def Ethan Vandenbosch/Joston Cripe 7-5, 6-2; Tommy Wells/Drew Lowry, Flathead, def Brady Arnold/Dylan Dobbins 6-2, 6-0; Liam Rehbein/Gabe Adams, Flathead, def John Settle/Carter Fehr 6-0, 6-2; Greg Muljadi/Dylan Rehbein, Flathead, won by default.
Girls
Helena Capital def Flathead 6-2
Singles — Regan Hanson, Capital, def Emma Hawkins 6-1, 6-2; Catherine Burbidge, Capital, def Avery Cherot 6-4, 6-7, 10-6; Mara Flynn, Capital, def Mayson Moore 7-5, 6-4; Kayla Bridges, Capital, def Alexis Kersten 7-6, 7-5.
Doubles — Marcella Mercer/Claire Morris, Flathead, def Miranda Sheafor/Abby Wiles, 6-4, 6-2; Ana Salyards/Sarah Kubicka, Capital, def Bridget Crowley/Alayna Creekmore, 6-2, 6-7,10-7; Emma Hopkins/Lilian Keeton, Capital, def Kami Darrow/Abby Clark 7-5, 6-2; Marit Felton/Sophia Dykhuizen, Flathead, def Rachael Stacey/Abi Grotbo 4-6, 7-6, 10-7.