Blixt, Shima team up for number one doubles win for Ronan
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Despite the rough weather, the Ronan tennis team got in two conference duals last week, though the competition was a bit rough, too.
On Friday at home, the Ronan boys lost to Columbia Falls 6-1 and Ronan’s girls’ squad also lost 6-1.
Jeff Blixt and Hunter Shima put together a 6-4, 6-2 win at number one doubles, while Seri Smith earned a 6-2, 6-3 win at number three singles for the girls.
“Seri played at singles for the first time and played very well,” head coach Gordon Cummings said. “I’ve moved the kids around to see where they best fit and girls don’t like (to play) singles. But, they all play it and, hopefully, it will make them a better all-around player. Seri adapted well and played very consistent all day.”
Austin Butler lost a close number one singles match for the boys, dropping a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 match to Vadim Zvygelskiy. Sarah Anderson and Taylir Courville also battled in a three-set, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 loss at number two doubles.
“Sarah and Taylir had a long three-setter. They played well as a doubles team so we will try that again later,” Cummings said. “Katelyn (Matkovich) played the number one (singles) spot and did well for not playing there before. She was in the match but just couldn’t come up with the big points.”
On Saturday, both Ronan teams were swept in a road dual to Libby. The boys lost 7-0 and the girls lost 6-0, with the number four singles match rained out.
Amber Metzger lost the number one singles match to Libby powerhouse Jackie Mee 6-1, 6-0, but it was a good learning experience, her coach said.
“Bad weather was the culprit on Saturday,” coach Cummings explained. “Amber (Metzger) got to play the number one player in the state and did well. She enjoyed the opportunity to see the best and knows what she needs to do.”
Ronan’s boys only won seven games over seven matches.
“The boys had a tough time versus Libby. We were shorthanded and never really got off the bus to play,” Cummings noted.
This week Ronan’s tennis team was scheduled to play a dual in Bigfork Monday and won’t play again until a pair of duals against Hamilton and Corvallis in Ronan on Friday, May 14.
Summary
Boys
Columbia Falls 6, Ronan 1
Singles - Vadim Zvygelskiy, CF, def. Austin Butler, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5; Miroslav Zvygelskiy, CF, won by forfeit Colten Cheff; Brian Parker, CF, def. Kyle Yankey, 6-0, 6-1; Nick Emerson, CF, def. Chase Allen, 6-2, 6-3.
Doubles - Jeff Blixt/Hunter Shima, R, def. Brian Marcielle/Jordan Mueller, 6-4, 6-2; Tim Spencer/Jon Riffey, CF, def. Payton Adams/Spencer Sucha, 6-1, 6-0; Chris King/Nathan Carr, CF, def. Michael Elliot/Jess Smith, 6-3, 6-0.
Libby 7, Ronan 0
Singles - Cree Maloney, L, def. Austin Butler, 6-0, 6-0; Crawford Dinning, L, won by forfeit Colten Cheff; Zach Schikora, L, def. Kyle Yankey, 6-0, 6-1; Rob Hamilton, L, won by forfeit Jess Smith.
Doubles - Alex Cislo/TJ Benson, L, def. Hunter Shima/Jeff Blixt, 6-0, 6-3; Nate Broden/Lewis Brossman, L, def. Spencer Sucha/Payton Adams, 6-1, 6-1; Chris Faulkner/Mike Wise, L, def. Chase Allen/Joe Dresen, 6-0, 6-0.
Girls
Columbia Falls 6, Ronan 1
Singles - Gabrielle Stenger, CF, def. Katelyn Matkovich, 6-3, 6-1; Tami Kolatschek, CF, def. Brianna Frank, 6-0, 6-1; Seri Smith, R, def. Courtney Temburelli, 6-2, 6-3; Elena Potter, CF, def. Tashina Barnaby, 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles - Lexie Bartkoski/Marissa Getts, CF, def. Amber Metzger/Darian Blixt, 6-0, 6-1; Franki Anderson/Pepper Borland, CF, def. Sarah Anderson/Taylir Courville, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3; Shay Grilley/Krystal Bedford, CF, def. Jonelle Lauer/Kylee Pennington, 6-0, 6-0.
Libby 6, Ronan 0
Singles - Jackie Mee, L, def. Amber Metzger, 6-1, 6-0; Chelsey Oedewaldt, L, def. def. Darian Blixt, 6-1, 6-2; Tana Wilson, L, def. Sarah Anderson, 6-0, 6-2; fourth match rained out.
Doubles - Anna Valentine/Audra Poppen, L, def. Katelyn Matkovich/Taylir Courville, 6-1, 6-2; Tawnya Granger/Ashley Shaw, L, def. Brianna Frank/Seri Smith, 6-1, 6-0; Kyla O’Brien/Alissa Buti, L, def. Bujinikham Chinzorig/Tashina Barnaby, 6-3, 6-2.
