Cat netters swat competition at divisional

It was a Deja Vuu week for the for the Superior Bobcat tennis team. 

Last year the Cats used a first, a second, two third places and a fourth to nearly double up on the second-place team in the division and 2025 was more of the same but with younger players, who beat the Simms Tigers 50 to 27 this past weekend in Bigfork. There were no team scores provided for teams placing three through five.  

The highlights for the Cats were many, starting with the Bobcats only individual champion medalists, Perri Jasper, a junior, and Cami Quick, a sophomore. They avenged their only loss of the season to run their seasonal record to 24-1 in defeating the number one seed of Jorja Morris and Bailey Anderson 6-3, 7-5.  

The Cat netters unleashed a refuse to lose attitude to dominate. The Bobcats number one singles player, Josie Crabb played in the finale against Kaylie Zietzke, a senior, who is considered the top singles player in the state and showed why by winning most of the very long rallies. Crabb will take a 22-3 season a second to State this weekend.  

Trina Azure won the Consolation finals and a bronze medal, to go State as the third-place finisher. Next came the surprise of the tournament when the eighth-grade doubles team of Mady Neu and Alyza Wickham defeated Troy's doubles team of Christina Hammer and Brooke Place, 6-4, 7-5. This may be the highest eighth graders have ever placed at any divisional.  

Berreth said six players will be going to the state tournament from Superior, including Quick, Jasper, Crabb, Trina Azure and eighth graders Mady Neu and Alyza Wickham.

“Part of their strength is their volley ability, which is way beyond their years”, said Berreth. “Kamrun Church, one of this talented eighth grade class, won two matches in very tough singles competition and was one match from advancing to State. Next week, the Montana B/C State Tournament will start in Missoula on Thursday, weather permitting at the Fort Missoula courts, or Missoula Sentinel High.

    Superior sophomore Josie Crabb hits an overhead return during a match at this past weekend's Western divisional tournament in Missoula. (Photo by Perri Jasper)