By Tiffany L. Rehbein
Seventh-ranked Kristen Bailey of Fort Benton defeated fourth-ranked Teresa Muncy of Chester 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 in the title match at the North/East B/C divisional tournament to claim the title.
However, Chester's strong finishes in doubles action and its wins through the loser-out bracket lifted the team to its fourth-straight divisional title.
The Coyotes finished with 32 points at the tournament which was held at the Bill Vaughey Memorial Tennis Courts at Havre Friday and Saturday.
Fort Benton finished second with 28 points, Big Sandy was third with 13, and Chinook was fourth with 10 points.
"Bailey improved so much through the year, obviously," Chinook coach Brent Schellin said. "She is a go-getter. She just keeps on playing."
Fort Benton's Lacey Schultz, the No. 1-ranked singles' player at the tournament, was knocked off by Muncy in round three, 6-3, 7-5.
Schultz came through the loser-out bracket to place third. She defeated sixth-ranked Lisa Wickum of Chester 6-2, 6-3 in the third and fourth-place round.
Wickum had defeated Cassie Jergeson of Chinook 6-1, 6-2 in the consolation fifth- and sixth-place match.
All players will advance to the state meet, slated to begin Thursday at Missoula.
"Jergeson played very well against Wickum and Bailey," Schellin said. "She was tired, but she was trying some things."
Kelsie Whitney was knocked from state contention in round seven of the tournament.
"She was injured and didn't practice last week," Schellin said. "She was just not quite on her game."
Elizabeth Stuker won a match for the Sugarbeeters.
"I was happy with her," Schellin said.
In doubles' action, Big Sandy's duo of Amanda Pokorny and Darice Grass placed first, defeating Kendra Matkin and Mari Tempel of Chester, 6-2, 6-1.
Chester's No. 1 doubles' team of Devan Lalum and Kali Wicks placed third. They defeated Mary Gherkerie and Stacie Wellman of Fort Benton, 7-6, 6-3.
All four doubles' teams will advance to the state tournament.
Chinook's team of Susan Thackeray and Savannah Brown was one game away from advancing.
"They just needed more time playing together," Schellin said.
First-year singles' player Jen Heilman, a sophomore, and the No. 2 doubles' team of Kelsey Altenhofen (sophomore) and Julianna Hellman rounded out their seasons at the tournament.
"They are coming back and we'll do well next year," Schellin said. "Althenhofen and Hellman didn't win any matches, but they played some tough teams."
The duo took champions Pokorny and Grass to a 6-4 set.
"We are young, and I am looking forward to next year," Schellin said.
Results
Team Scores: Chester 32, Fort Benton 28, Big Sandy 13, Chinook 10.
Round 1 L. Schultz, FB, def. J. Heilman, Chi, 6-0, 6-0; J. Singer, FB, def. L. Edwards, BS, 6-0, 6-0; K. Whitney, Chi, def. K. Hawks, Che, 6-2, 6-2; T. Muncy, Che, def. J. Sheehy, BS, 6-0, 6-0; C. Jergeson, Chi, L. Dyrland, BS, 6-0, 6-0; L. Wickum, Che, def. C. Olsen, FB, 6-1, 6 -3; K. Bailey, FB, def. E. Stuker, Chi, 6-1, 6-3; K. Nelson, Che, def. B. Field, BS, 6-1, 6-0.
Round 2 T. Muncey, Che, def. K. Muncy, Che, 6-3, 6-4; C. Jergeson, Chi, def. L. Wickum; K. Bailey, FB, def. K. Nelson, Che, 6-3, 6-4; L. Schultz, FB, def. J. Singer, FB, 6-1, 6-1.
Round 3 T. Muncy, Che, def L. Schultz, FB, 6-3, 7-5; K. Bailey, FB, Cassie Jergeson, Chi, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.
Consolation
Round 4 L. Edwards, BS, def. Jen Heilman, Chi, 6-0, 7-5; K. Hawks, Che, def. J. Sheehy, BS, 6-0, 6-1; C. Olsen, FB, def. L. Dyrland, BS, 6-2, 6-1; E. Stuker, Chi, def. B. Field, BS, 6-0, 6-1.
Round 5 K. Whitney, Chi, def. L. Edwards, BS, 6-4, 6-1; J. Singer, FB, def. K. Hawks, 6-2, 6-2; K. Nelson, Che, def. C. Olsen, FB, 6-1, 6-1; L. Wickum, Che, def. E. Stuker, Chi, 6-2, 6-1.
Round 6 K. Whitney, Chi, def. J. Singer, FB, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1; L. Wickum, Che, def. K. Nelson, Che, 6-2, 6-4.
Round 7 C. Jergeson, Chi, def. K. Whitney, Chi, 6-3, 6-2; L. Schultz, FB, def. L. Wickum, 6-3, 6-0.
Consolation
5th-6th L. Wickum, Che, def. C. Jergeson, Chi, 6-1, 6-2.
3rd-4th L. Schultz, FB, def. L. Wickum, Chi, 6-2, 6-3.
Championship K. Bailey, FB, def. T. Muncey, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Doubles
Round 1 Lalum/Wicks def. Kotoija/Moes 6-1, 6-0; Pokorny/Grass def. Thackeray/Brown 6-2, 6-4; Matkin/Temple def. Scott McKenzie, 6-3, 6-1; Ghekerie/Wellman def. Altenhofen/Hellman, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Round 2 Pokorny/Grass def. Lalum/Wicks 6-2, 6-3; Matkin/Temple 6-2, 6-1.
Round 3 Loser's Bracket Thackeray/Brown def. Kotioja/Moes, 6-1, 6-2; Scott/McKenzie def. Altenhofen/Hellman, 7-6, 6-3.
Round 4 Ghekerie/Wellman def. Thackeray/Brown, 6-1, 6-1; Lalum/Wicks def. Scott/Wendt 6-1, 6-1.
Round 5 3rd-4th Lalum/Wicks def. Ghekerie/Wellman 7-6, 6-3.
Championship Pokorny/Grass def. Matkin/Temple, 6-2, 6-1.
