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

e Northeast B/C Tennis Tournament in Great Falls on Wednesday, May 17. The 'Beeters dominated the tournament once again with 45 points, 17 points clear of runner up Fairfield. The Sugarbeeters will send two singles and two doubles teams to the state tournament in Great Falls this Thursday through Saturday.

Junior Mya Berreth continued her winning ways capturing a second straight Northern B/C Divisional title. Berreth has not lost a match this season while dropping just a handful of sets along the way. Berreth began the tournament with a win over Hanna Bach of Fort Benton 6-0, 6-0. In her second match, Berreth cruised by Chester/Joplin -Inverness's (Chester/J-I) Hannah Nelson 6-1, 6-0.

Berreth started slow in her semifinal match with Chester/J-I junior Aaliyah Standiford, dropping the first set 0-6, Berreth bounced back in set number two with a 6-1 win to even the match 1-1. The third and deciding set went back and forth with Berreth prevailing 7-6 to advance to the final. The championship match was a thriller that went the distance. Berreth took set one 6-4, Standiford evened the match following a 6-4 second set win. The third set Berreth took over, winning 6-2 to claim the Singles title

Sophomore Rilee Molyneaux continued to play well each time she took the court and did so once again at the Northeast B/C Divisional. Molyneaux began her tournament with a 3-5, 6-0, 6-2 win over fort Bentons Kamree Peterson. Molyneaux dropped her second match to Chester/J-I's Aaliyah Standiford 0-6, 6-1, 7-6. Molyneaux would bounce back earning a 6-9, 6-1 win over teammate Falyn Cecrle. Molyneaux finished the tournament in a flurry winning a pair of matches to reach the consolation final where she defeated Standiford 1-6, 6-0, 6-4 to finish third and advance to the state B/C tournament.

Sophomore Ashlyn Jensen opened her tournament with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Fort Bentons Taylor Ball she then defeated Katie Bender 6-0, 6-1. Jenson dropped her next two matches to end her season. Freshman Falyn Cecrle picked up a win at the Northeast B/C, defeating Katie Cline Fort Benton 0-6, 6-4, 6-0.

Seniors Lexi Pitkannen and Torin Cecrle have proven to be a formidable doubles team the past two seasons and turned in another superb effort at Divisional. The pair cruised to a first round win over Rosa Martinez/Trinity Caso 6-0, 6-3. In their semifinal match against Shea Ostberg/Nadalena Preston 6-1, 6-3. The championship match featured the duo against a very familiar team of Hailey Wang and Rainie Hakko. The teams have battled each other often with each winning their fair share. This time the 'Beeter tandem fell 6-3,1-6, 3-6 to finish second.

The sophomore duo of Jenna Liddle and Jenny Mord round out the 'Beeter contingent headed to State. The pair defeated Paige Hatch/Darren Rodgers of Fort Benton 6-2, 7-6 in their tournament opener. They dropped two tough matches to follow and finished fifth in the tournament earning a trip to State.

Head Coach Janelle Deanon talked about her teams effort, "The girls played an excellent divisional tournament. Everyone had to fight for the matches they won, and even though a few didn't go the way we were hoping they stayed positive and came out on top in the end taking first as a team by a 17 point margin."

The team took a match to match, day to day approach, "Day one was extremely hot and the girls played some marathon matches, some lasting over two hours. By the end of the day we were the only team with all of their players still in the bracket so that was extremely gratifying for the girls to see that all of their hard work truly paid off. Day two was a little cooler but the matches were just as long and hard. Watching the girls in our division I know they will be some of the toughest competition we see in state," added Deanon.

The 'Beeters are fortunate to face stiff competition during the regular season to hone their skills, "It's a blessing and a curse to have one of the hardest divisions, because it makes our girls even better and proves just how talented they are, yet there are so many girls that don't qualify and are state level talent that would qualify if they were in a different division." Deanon praised the effort of these individuals "Ashlyn improved so much from last year and ended in seventh place in the tournament, just two spots away from qualifying as a freshman who switched to singles mid year, Falyn had everyone on their toes as she took on and took down some of the more seasoned girls in the bracket."

The 'Beeters have experience against some teams outside of their own division as well that have prepared them to face other top teams that they will see at the state tournament, "Some of the biggest competition we'll see this week at state will be Loyola, they tend to be a completely different level of tennis but it's exciting to see our girls make it through to play them. Townsend also has a great doubles team, Simms usually produces some top players as well.

Heading into the state tournament Deanon is excited to see what her team can accomplish, "To have Mya take first for the second year in a row at divisional is really exciting and I have big hopes for her at the state tournament. Rilee took third in her first year as a singles player and if she plays like she did last week she'll also be one to watch out for in state. Lexi and Torin have their sights set on a high placement and are putting in the work to make it happen after a tough three set loss to Fort Benton to drop them to second place. Jeni and Jenna are also excited to make their state debut as a doubles team. They took fifth last week but took down Fairfield's number one and two teams to get there so they are ready for the competition at state as well."