By Tiffany L. Rehbein
The Havre Blue Pony boys' tennis team finished first and the girls second at the Central A divisional tennis tournament on Saturday.
"Both teams played extremely well," Havre Head Coach Sam Dierman said. "Nine out of 10 boys qualified for state. They scored an incredible 64 points."
In boys' singles action, the Blue Ponies placed 1-2-3, and, in doubles play, they finished 1-3-4 at Butte.
Kellen Malone, Nick Heninger, and Teri Sherrill each repeated as divisional champions.
Malone, the No. 1 singles' player for Havre, allowed his opponent just three points and he lost just three games throughout the entire tournament to defend his trophy.
Malone defeated teammate Terrance Wells 6-0, 6-1 in the championship for the title.
"He is ready for state," Dierman said.
Wells, who filled the No. 2 singles' position, won three-straight matches before falling to Malone in the championship.
"Terrance made a big statement at divisionals," Dierman said. "He will be a power the next couple of years. He will be a darkhorse at state."
Cody McLain placed third at the state tournament.
The freshman lost to Wells 6-3, 6-2 and, in the consolation match, defeated Rowe of Lewistown 6-4, 6-4.
"What an accomplishment," Dierman said.
Andrew McLain went 2-2 at the tournament.
"Andrew didn't even know he was going until Tuesday," Dierman said. "He is a fighter on the court and will only get better over the summer."
Nick Heninger teamed with Seth Maristuen and claimed the championship trophy.
During only their second week together, the two won three-straight and defeated Ernst and Bride of Lewistown, 6-1, 6-2.
"They were dominant," Dierman said. "They will do very well at state."
Tyler Croft and Levi LaPrath, the Ponies No. 2 doubles' team, suffered an early loss but rebounded to finish third.
The two defeated teammates Jeremy Heninger and Tyler Vincent 6-2, 6-4 in the consolation match.
"They rebounded from a very poor showing in their first match to play very well the rest of the way," Dierman said. "They were too tight in their first match. They will be tough at state."
Jeremy Heninger and Vincent defeated Horacek and Redfern of Lewistown 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to advance into the consolation round.
"They bounced back from a first-set disaster against Horacek and Redfern to play outstanding tennis and advance to state," Dierman said.
Sherrill downed Beffert of Livingston 7-5, 6-1 for the championship trophy.
"Teri played well, but her best tennis will come this weekend when she get the state's best," Dierman said.
The Blue Pony girls finished with 46 points, just 13 short of defending state champion Livingston, who won with 59 points.
Crystal Heggen, the No. 2 singles' player, placed fourth, losing to Venturelli of Anaconda 6-4, 6-3 in the consolation match.
"Crystal's hard work paid off," Dierman said. "She advances to state for the first time. She has been so solid all year. She will do well at state."
Nichole Borst improved her finish from last season, winning three on the weekend.
Borst defeated two Livingston players before being knocked from state contention by Yeoman of Anaconda, 6-1, 7-6 (7-5).
"She finished out her tennis career by playing her best tennis," Dierman said.
Samantha Shrauger filled the No. 4 singles' spot.
The freshman defeated McElderry of Anaconda 6-4, 6-3 to open the tournament, but fell to Beffert and Nelson of Livingston.
"Samantha won one match which is very good for a freshman in her first divisionals," Dierman said. "Her future is bright if she'll put in the effort in the summer."
The No. 1 doubles' team of Kirsten Kuka and Tiffany Shrauger placed third, defeating Ferguson and Chappell of Livingston 6-3, 6-4 in the consolation match.
"I knew they would play well at divisionals," Dierman said. "They will make a big statement at state. The best doubles teams in the state are in our division."
Jana McPherson, a senior, and Samantha Velk, a junior, fell just shy of a state berth. They lost to teammates Kuka and Shrauger, 6-1, 6-4.
"They would have made it to state in any other division," Dierman said. "Jana's leadership skills will be sorely missed by the girls' tennis team. What she contributed to the Havre girls' tennis program will never be forgotten."
The freshmen doubles duo of Jennifer Gorder and Ryan Hamilton collected one win, defeating Brown and Rutledge of Lewistown, 6-4, 6-3. However, they missed a state berth.
"These two are amazing," Dierman said. "They improved so much over the course of the year. They have a great future in tennis ahead of them if they put in the time over the summer."
The 13 state qualifiers will ready for the tournament that will be held at Bozeman Friday and Saturday.
Boys team scores: Havre 64, Lewistown 28, Butte Central 4.
Kellen Malone def. Wise, Lew, 6-0, 6-0; def. Andrew McLain, Hav, 6-2, 6-0; def. Terrance Wells, Hav, 6-0, 6-1 (championship).
Terrance Wells def. Evans, Lew, 6-0, 6-0; def. Staudinger, BC, 6-2, 4-6, 6-1; def. Cody McLain, Hav, 6-3, 6-2; lost Malone, Hav, 0-6, 1-6 (championship).
Cody McLain def. O'Neill, BC, 6-0, 6-0; def. Rowe, Lew, 6-2, 6-2; lost Wells, Hav, 3-6, 2-6; def. Fields, BC, 6-0, 6-3; def. Rowe, Lew, 6-4, 6-4 (3rd and 4th).
Andrew McLain def. Grensten, Lew, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3; def. Fields, BC, 6-4, 6-2; lost Malone, Hav, 2-6, 0-6; lost Rowe, Lew, 0-6, 1-6.
Nick Heninger/Seth Maristuen def. Horacek/Redfern, Lew, 6-2, 6-2; def. Jenni/Ernst, Lew, 6-0, 6-0; def. Ernst/Bride, Lew, 6-1, 6-2 (championship).
Tyler Croft/Levi LaPrath lost Ernst/Bride, Lew, 2-6, 2-6; def. Monahan/Collette, BC, 6-3, 3-6, 6-2; def. Jenni/Ernst, Lew; def. J. Heninger/Vincent, Hav, 6-2, 6-4 (3rd and 4th).
Jeremy Heninger/Tyler Vincent def. Monahan/Collette, BC, 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (2-7), 6-4; lost Ernst/Bride, Lew; def. Horacek/Redfern, Lew, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3; lost Croft/LaPrath, Hav, 2-6, 4-6 (3rd and 4th).
Girls team scores: Livingston 59, Havre 46, Anaconda 24, Lewistown 20, Butte Central 0.
Teri Sherrill def. Sudbeck, Liv, 6-2, 6-3; def. Richter, Lew, 6-2, 6-3; def. Rogan, Lew, 6-0, 6-0; def. Beffert, Liv, 7-5, 6-1 (championship).
Crystal Heggen def. Sullivan, BC, 6-1, 6-0; lost Venturelli, Ana, 6-7, 1-6; def. Brand, Lew, 6-0, 6-0; def. Nelson, Liv, 6-2, 6-0; def. Rogan, Lew, 6-1, 6-1; lost Venturelli, Ana, 4-6, 3-6 (3rd and 4th).
Nicole Borst def. Boyer, Liv, 6-2, 6-2; lost Rogan, Lew, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 2-6; def. Boyer, Liv, 7-6 (7-5), 6-2; def. Richter, Lew, 6-2, 6-3; lost Yeoman, Ana, 1-6, 6-7 (5-7).
Samantha Shrauger def. McElderry, Ana, 6-4, 6-3; lost Beffert, Liv, 0-6, 1-6; lost Nelson, Liv, 2-6, 4-6.
Kirsten Kuka/Tiffany Shrauger def. Phillips/Sweeney, Ana, 6-7, 6-1, 6-0; def. Bakkedahl/Cauffman, Lew, 6-3, 6-3; lost Winfrey/Hannon, Liv, 4-6, 0-6; def. McPherson/Velk, Hav, 6-1, 6-4; def. Ferguson/Chappell, Liv, 6-3, 6-4 (3rd and 4th).
Jana McPherson/Samantha Velk lost Ferguson/Chappell, Liv, 4-6, 3-6; def. Crittendon/Connors, BC, 6-1, 6-1; def. Hill/Jimmerson, Lew; def. Barkell/Colbert, Ana, 6-2, 6-1; lost Kuka/Shrauger, Hav, 1-6, 4-6.
Jennifer Gorder/Ryan Hamilton lost Winfrey/Hannon, Liv, 0-6, 0-6; def. Brown/Rutledge, Lew, 6-4, 6-3; lost Bakkedahl/Cauffman, Lew, 3-6, 1-6.
