Western showdown
Photo by Mark McDaniel Senior Nicole Lucier played hard against Darby’s Hannah Honey in Saturday’s Southwestern B-C divisional meet in Superior, but came up short of a win. Lucier, along with teammates Alex Conrow and Michelle Hapa’kova’ qualified to play for the Bobcats at the upcoming state singles.
The Superior Lady Bobcats tennis team hosted the Best of the West Tournament Saturday at the University of Montana in Missoula.
During the tournament, each girl played three matches against players from other schools. Superior head tennis coach Rick Berreth said there was no school winner declared and that the event was designed more to prepare the girls who played in it for the divisional and state tournaments.
“They get to play three matches in one day and they get to see what kind of game kids in other schools have,” Berreth said.
Berreth said he took the opportunity to move some of his better players up from number two or three doubles or singles to number one or two spots and let some of his doubles players play a few singles matches.
He said that every member of the team, even the junior varsity players, won at least one game that day.
“For some kids it’s kind of the end of their season and it’s a good way to end their season. It’s also good development for the upper level kids,” Berreth said.
In the number one singles division, Nicole Lucier was the match champion. In her three matches, she defeated Ashley Beckham from Conrad 6-7, 6-4, 10-6, Hannah Honey from Darby 6-4, 7-5 and Jamie Ries from Conrad, 7-6, 6-2. Also in the number one singles division, Michelle Hapa'kova' lost to Ries 7-5, 3-6, 5-10 and defeated Jessica Manuel from Valley Christian 6-3, 6-3 and Paige Allen from Fairfield, 7-5,6-3 for a third place slot in the tournament.
“It’s really pleasing how well Nicole and Michelle did,” Berreth said.
In the number two singles division, Alex Conrow defeated Chrissa Holskey from Fort Benton 6-4 and 6-3, but then lost to Darbi Brady from Fairfield 3-6, 2-6 and Alyssa Keil from Conrad 3-6, 5-7.
In the number three singles division, Catie Goodpasture defeated Anna Fehrs from Mission 7-5, 6-4, but then lost to Kelly Johns from Conrad 6-7, 4-6 and Samantha Shinabuger from Fort Benton 6-7, 2-6.
In the number four singles division, Kiana Cox lost to Tessa Pearson from Valley Christian 6-4, 6-7, 9-11. She then turned her game around to beat Deanna Woodhouse from Fort Benton 6-3, 6-2 and Hannah Diehl from Loyola, 6-3, 4-6, 10-5.
In the number one double position, Sami Woodard and Kaylee Crabb lost to Ashley Peltier and Christie Kostick 3-6, 3-6 and Brittnee Whitnier and Kesha Blockee 3-6, 3-6. They beat a Valley Christian doubles team 7-5, 6-2.
In number two doubles, Leah Best and Sarah Wuebkas defeated Bekah King and Heidi Cross 7-5, 6-3 and Jessica Stuart and Bethany Grubb from Conrad, 3-6, 7-6, 10-8 and lost to Casey Krause and Kim Jackobson 3-6, 3-6, securing the third place spot for number two doubles. Also in the number two doubles division, Savannah Moore and Michele Reinelt lost to Stuart and Grubb 4-6, 4-6 and Tara Sullivan and Natalie Krosch from Darby 3-6, 3-6 and defeated Rebecca Nielsen and Cassie Tripp from Loyola 7-6, 6-3.
“It was really pleasing that everybody won a match,” Berreth said.
The Lady Bobcats are now spending their time getting ready for divisionals, which Berreth said will be hosted at home Friday and Saturday.
“The main idea behind this match is to get kids ready for divisionals,” Berreth said.