Troy tennis sends seven to state after breakout divisional performance
The Troy Lady Trojans tennis team delivered its best postseason performance in recent memory at the Northwest B Divisional Tournament last week, qualifying seven of its eight players for the Class B-C State Tournament.
Held over two days in Bigfork and Kalispell, the event was marked by weather delays and venue changes, but the Lady Trojans adapted and battled through the adversity. Troy placed three singles players and both doubles teams in the top six, securing a strong presence at the state tournament this week in Missoula.
In the singles bracket, Shelby Cole, Jolene Foutch and Miley Babcock placed fourth, fifth, and sixth respectively out of a field of 15 competitors. With only the top six qualifying for state, the trio’s advancement was a significant achievement — claiming half of the available state-bound singles spots.
Foutch’s performance highlighted the team’s grit and resilience. Facing elimination Friday morning, the sophomore dropped her first set 6-1 before storming back to take the second 7-5 and win the decisive match tiebreak 10-6.
On the doubles side, the pairings of Christina Hammer and Brooke Place, and Sophia Simanovicki and Abby Kreutzer earned fourth and fifth place finishes, respectively, out of six teams. Every player on the roster won at least one match during the tournament.
Thursday’s competition began under rainy skies, forcing some matches to shift to the Summit Fitness Center in Kalispell. To keep the schedule on track, early-round matches started at 2-all in each set, with play stretching past 9 p.m. Full matches resumed early Friday across outdoor courts at Bigfork High School and the Montana Athletic Club.
“I’m proud of the toughness and grit the team showed, particularly our three singles players,” head coach Ed Sedler said. “It’s that championship mentality — knowing that if they keep their heads in it, they always have a shot.”
The strong postseason showing capped a regular season that saw continued growth from the program. At the Best of the West Tournament in Missoula, the Lady Trojans posted a 14-17 record in a 13-team field. Singles players compiled an 11-8 mark, while the doubles teams finished 3-9 — a reflection of the team’s top-end strength and ongoing development in doubles play.
Senior Miley Babcock had a standout weekend in Missoula, reaching the final of her singles bracket. She won three tiebreakers en route to the championship match before falling to Loyola’s Katie Read-Smith. Her matches were grueling, often lasting over an hour in 90-degree heat.
“That's grit,” Sedler said. “I don't even know how long it's been since a Trojan played in one of the championship matches at Best of the West, but it's been a long time.”
Foutch also had a strong showing in Missoula, advancing to the semifinals in the No. 3 singles bracket before falling to another Loyola standout. While she didn’t get to play the consolation rounds due to time constraints, her progress foreshadowed the fight she would show again at divisionals.
Now, Troy’s state qualifiers will travel to the B-C State Tournament in Missoula, carrying the momentum of a breakout season and a sense of belief that the program is back in the mix.