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

The Chinook Sugarbeeter Tennis team nearly had their weekend interrupted by Mother Nature, but a quick scheduling change allowed them to compete for the second time this spring. After weeks inside Chinook was able to compete in Great Falls a week ago but had their following meet in Wolf Point cancelled. Just when it looked like they were going to lose out on an opportunity to compete in Lewistown this past Saturday were gone following a snow storm a quick change of venues provided the 'Beeters an opportunity to play in Fort Benton.

Chinook Head Coach Janelle Deanon continues to be impressed to her teams start to the season but knows there is still work to be done, "We had a few growing pains today, but all in all it was a great day. Together the girls played 13 matches and won all but 4 of them."

The 'Beeters certainly have their strengths, "Our singles had a strong showing, junior Mya Berreth won both of her matches convincingly 6-2 and 6-1 as did junior Jenna Liddle with scores of 6-0 and 6-1. Sophomore Rilee Molyneaux won both of her singles matches as well 6-0 and 7-5." Deanon went on to say, "Sophomore Ashlyn Jensen got in one singles match and took home the win 6-1. Freshman Gracie Skoyen had a tough singles match and ended up losing after about an hour in a tie breaker 5-7."

Chinook returns a strong tandem on the Double side as well, "Doubles went well too with senior Lexi Pitkanen and senior Torin Cecrle beating both sets of their opponents (6-3) against Townsend and in a full set against Fort Benton winning 6-0/ 4-6/ 10-4. Our newest doubles team of freshman Falyn Cecrle and Jeni Mord struggled a bit and ended up losing both of their matches 5-7 and their second match in a tie breaker of 5-7. Today was the first time they have played together except for once or twice in practice, so they can only go up from here! Around halfway through their second match they really started clicking as a team."

Assessing the day, Deanon was pleased, "It was a day of pretty good serving from our girls. Each match there were some stand out serves that really helped them control the pace of the matches. Ashlyn and Gracie got thrown into a surprise doubles match to round out the day, and even though they didn't pull out the win, it was fun to watch them work together and have some fun.

Sophomore Rilee Molyneaux had an undefeated day as well for the 'Beeters.

Experience always helps a team grow, "Our veterans are coming out swinging this year, quite literally. They are doing a fantastic job of reading their opponents and making game time adjustments in order to keep the momentum going in their favor. Newer players are picking things up so quickly, especially after not being able to be on the court at the start of the season.

Improving on fundamentals is always key, "One of our biggest challenges that we will be working on is mental toughness. It becomes make or break when the girls get in their heads during a match, and it's important that they can learn to work through that now before we get too far into the season. Between that and working on their consistency of serves, and serve returns I think we'll be in a good spot this year!