The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Chinook High School Tennis team concluded their regular season schedule this past Friday in Great Falls. Their final home match scheduled for Saturday with Chester/Joplin-Inverness was canceled do to inclement weather.

Chinook's No. 1 Singles player, sophomore Mya Berreth, won both of her matches in Great Falls to improve to 15-3 on the season. Berreth picked up a 6-1, 6-3 win over her girls opponent from Simms and then defeated her boys opponent from Simms 7-6.

No. 2 Singles, senior Allison Powell, picked up a pair of wins in Great Falls defeating opponents from Simms 6-0, 6-0 and 6-0, 6-1. In her final match she dropped a 6-4 decision to male counterpart from the Simms Tiger team. Powell concluded the regular season with a 12-2 overall record.

Senior Tylie Richman (9-2) the 'Beeters No. 3 Singles player defeated Simms's Alex Baranko 7-6, 6-0 (7-5) in her only match Friday. No. 4 Singles, sophomore Tasha Skoyen (11-4) fell in her only outing, falling to Simms 2-6, and 4-6. Freshman Jenna Liddle (12-1) also won her only match in Great Falls defeating Val Rua of Simms 6-1, 6-4.

The 'Beeters No. 1 Doubles Team of junior Lexi Pitkanen and junior Torin Cecrle added a pair of hard fought back and fourth wins to improve to 15-3 on the season. First they defeated Simms No. 1 6-1, 5-7 (14-12). They followed with a win over the Tigers No. 2 team 7-6 (7-5). Chinook's No. 2 Doubles Team, freshman Rilee Molyneaux and freshman Jeni Mord (13-6) suffered a pair of tough losses to their Simms opponents.

The Sugarbeeters will now head to the Northern B/C Divisional in Havre this Friday and Saturday, May 13-14. The field at the Northern B/C Tennis Divisional includes five teams this year with the Harlem Lady Cats, Fairfield Eagles, Fort Benton Longhorns and Chester/Joplin-Inverness Hawks joining the Sugarbeeters. The Tournament will be hosted by Chinook while being played in Havre.

Chinook Head Coach Janelle Deanon had plenty to say heading into the post season, "I think the girls are ready for divisionals, they've put in a lot of work this season and they've all improved. Everywhere we go we continue to be competitive and I think a lot of that comes down to the girls work ethic, they just don't give up. Having two new teams in our division this year is going to be a challenge, but I think they can handle it. They've played the teams already this season so they have a good idea of what they're up against. I'm confident in the girls' ability to not only compete physically but mentally as well. They make me proud!"

The 'Beeter squad looking to advance at the Northern B/C appears to be loaded, " This year we have sophomore Mya Berreth as our No. 1 singles, followed extremely closely by senior Allison Powell as our No. 2. They've gone back and forth all season long and most of the time they both play in our number one position and are heavy competitors who are always willing to play the long game."

The No. 3 and No. 4 singles players for the 'Beeters have plenty of game as well, "Our No. 3 singles is senior Tylie Richman which is outstanding since this is her first year playing singles. Her freshman through junior years she was a strong doubles player. Don't let her fool you though she's a talented singles player too! Coming in the No. 4 spot is sophomore Tasha Skoyen who has had a season of tremendous growth and has really shown that she's willing to play any competition we throw at her."

Chinook senior Tylie Richman (9-2) will look for a strong outing later this week at the Northern B/C Divisional. The 'Beeters have had an outstanding regular season and will look to qualify as many athletes as possible for the Montana Class B/C Girls State Tennis Tournament in Bozeman, May 19-21.

On the Doubles side of the tournament the 'Beeters have two strong teams that will certainly challenge for a spot at the State B/C, "Our No. 1 Doubles team this year is our pair of juniors, Lexi Pitkanen and Torin Cecrle. They're fierce and have quite the reputation for their net game and teamwork. Rounding out or divisional squad is our No. 2 Doubles team, freshman Rilee Molyneaux and Jeni Mord. They picked up the game quickly and have proven that they're ready to compete with any of the seasoned competitors. We'll also be bringing Jenna Liddle a sophomore as our alternate for divisional this week," said Deanon.

The 'Beeters look to be in good shape in both the singles and doubles tournaments. Qualifications for the State B/C changes as well to reflect the number of teams participating. The top five players in the singles tournament as well as the top five Double teams advance to the State B/C. This year the Montana Class B/C Girls State Tennis Tournament will be held in Bozeman, May 19-20.