Libby brings busload to State B/C tennis tourney

MISSOULA — Libby has faired well in its first foray into Class B tennis, securing a pair of divisional singles titles and 14 contenders at this weekend’s state tournament, more than any other school. 

Now they face a field of unknowns, including a crowd of contenders from the East the Loggers haven’t seen in competition.

“The boys are hitting the ball really well and hitting with confidence,” Libby coach Kyle Hannah said. 

“They’ve pushed each other all year and a lot of their goals from the start were to get here together and they made it as a team. That’s one goal. They’re working on the next goal.”

Libby’s Jason Brandt beat teammate Colin Maloney for the divisional crown last week and will be among the favorites this weekend along with Great Falls Central’s Roger Mai, Trey Christiaens of Valley Christian and Anaconda’s Carsen Boynton. Each has a first round bye.

Bigfork’s Alex Buenz opens against Ronan’s Bailey Moss and Michael Bedford opens with Darby’s Kyle Wall. Libby’s Cody Wood opens with Mission’s Warren Castor and Jhamaal Sykes opens against Ronan’s Thomas Yellowbird. Maloney also gets a first round bye.

In doubles, Libby’s Ryan Nagle and Giovanni Cano open against a team from Cut Bank and Erik Lauer and Braydan Thom open with a duo from Great Falls Central. Bigfork’s George Gibson and Ben Russell, divisional champions last week, and the Reichenbachs, Clayton and Colton, both open against teams from Conrad. 

On the girls side, Libby’s Kaylene Hudson is among the favorites along with three of the top six finishers from last season. Lone Pine’s Luisa Locker, the defending runner up, will be amongst the favorites with Chinook’s Brooke Nicholson and Cut Bank’s Dakota Dosch, all of whom were in the semifinals last year.

“I think Kaylene can play with all three of them,” Hannah said. 

Hudson opens with Ronan’s Hannah Moss and Loggers teammate Isabelle Martineau opens against Baker’s Anna Espeland. Bigfork’s Karlee Park opens against Forsyth’s Kira Thompson and Troy’s Allie Brown opens with Mission’s Alyssa Rith.

In doubles, Bigfork’s Alauna Weilacher and Kalia Wicklund, divisional champions last weekend, have a bye into the second round. Libby’s Jenna Barrick and Cloie Boardner open against a team from Chinook and Dani Hawthorne and Mehki Sykes open with a duo from Simms.