By Tiffany L. Rehbein
The Havre Blue Ponies boys' tennis team allowed just 13 points to be scored against them in a dual with the Hardin Bulldogs Saturday at the Lewistown Invitational.
The boys went 14-0 at the meet, defeating Hardin 7-0 and Lewistown, 7-0.
Kellen Malone, the Ponies No. 1 singles' player, allowed just one point to be scored on him in both singles and doubles' play.
"He is ready for divisionals," Havre coach Sam Dierman said.
Nick Heninger, who played the No. 1 player from Lewistown, teamed with Seth Maristuen against Hardin's Greer and Anderson for the win.
"Nick also had a very good day," Dierman said. "He has put himself in a great position at divisional as he will be on the opposite side of Kellen and should meet him in the championship."
Terrance Wells, Cody McLain, and Andrew McLain also played well.
"Terrance was outstanding and he will definitely be a factor," Dierman said. "Cody McLain has a chance to place in the top four. This is the first time that I've ever said we have an outside chance of taking the top four positions in singles."
Maristuen, who is half of the No. 1 doubles' team with Mike Frey, played well partnered with Malone and Heninger.
Frey is out with a shoulder injury.
"Seth played very well," Dierman said.
The No. 2 doubles' team of Tyler Croft and Levi LaPrath was also strong.
"They did an excellent job of controlling the net in their matches," Dierman said. "They have a good chance of being in the top four, and, possibly even the championship at divisonals."
Freshmen Jeremy Heninger and Tyler Vincent also stepped into the winning action.
"For freshmen, they have unbelievable composure," Dierman said. "When the pressure's on, they play better."
On the girls' side, senior Teri Sherrill won two matches.
The girls defeated Hardin 6-1, lost to defending State A champion Livingston 4-3, and defeated Lewistown, 4-3.
"Teri wasn't feeling her best, but yet beat perhaps the Central A divisional's best in Beffert of Livingston, who she beat last year in the divisional championship. Teri totally dominated these two very good players," Dierman said.
Crystal Heggen went 3-0 on the day.
"Crystal is playing with so much confidence right now. She is going to be very tough at divisionals," Dierman said.
Nichole Borst stepped up and competed well.
"She is like a bulldog and fights until there is no fight left," Dierman said.
Kristen Kuka and Tiffany Shrauger went 2-1 on the day, losing to No. 1-ranked Christine Bausch and Angela Bausch of Livingston.
"They still haven't played their best tennis. They will be scary when they do. They almost beat the No. 1 from Livingston who are the favorites, not only in our division, but also in the state," Dierman said. "These two are the veterans of the wars and divisionals will be their showcase."
Jana McPherson and Sam Velk made their debut in the No. 2 doubles, going 2-1.
"Any time you play together for the first time, it will be tough. I though t they were outstanding for their first week together," Dierman said.
Freshmen Crystal Pyrak, Samantha Shrauger, Jennifer Gorder, and Ryan Hamilton also competed in their first varsity matches.
"They were tight in the early matches, but once they loosened up, they were a lot better," Dierman said.
The team will be preparing this week for the divisional tournament at Butte this weekend.
Results
BOYS
Havre def. Hardin, 7-0
Singles Kellen Malone, Hav, def. C. Greer 6-1, 6-0; Terrance Wells, Hav, def. N. Greer 6-2, 6-0; Cody McLain, Hav, def. Krebs 6-0, 6-2; Andrew McLain, Hav, def. Minnick 6-2, 6-2.
Doubles Nick Heninger/Seth Maristuen, Hav, def. C. Greer/Anderson 6-1, 6-0; Tyler Croft/Levi LaPrath, Hav, def. Bull Shows/Harrison 6-1, 6-0; Jeremy Heninger/Tyler Vincent, Hav, def. Allderdings/Scheidt 6-1, 6-0.
Havre def. Lewistown, 7-0
Singles N. Heninger, Hav, def. Rowe 6-4, 6-2; Wells, Hav, def. Luciano 6-2, 6-1; C. McLain, Hav, def. Grensten 6-2, 6-1; A. McLain, Hav, def. Wise 6-2, 6-4.
Doubles Malone/Maristuen, Hav, def. Ernst/Bride 6-0, 6-0; Croft/LaPrath, Hav, def. Ernst/Jenni 6-1, 6-3; J. Heninger/Vincent, Hav, def. Redfern/Horacek 7-6 (7-5) 6-4.
GIRLS
Havre def. Hardin, 6-1
Singles Teri Sherrill, Hav, def. Seykora 6-1, 6-0; Crystal Heggen, Hav, def. Slyker 6-0, 6-2; Nichole Borst, Hav, def. Chepulis 6-2, 6-2; Jackson, Har, def. Crystal Pyrak 6-1, 3-6, 6-4.
Doubles Kirsten Kuka/Tiffany Shrauger, Hav, def. Pitsch/Schaak 6-3, 6-0; Jana McPherson/Samantha Velk, Hav, def. Watson/Lundberg 6-4, 6-2; Jennifer Gorder/Ryan Hamilton, Hav, def. Hink/Gore 6-3, 6-0.
Livingston 4, Havre 3
Singles Sherrill, Hav, def. Beffert 6-2, 6-2; Heggen, Hav, def. Sudbeck 6-2, 6-0; Borst, Hav, def. Boyer 5-7, 6-2, 6-2; Nelson, Liv, def. S. Shrauger 6-3, 6-3.
Doubles Bausch/Bausch, Liv, def. Kuka/T. Shrauger 6-4, 6-3; Winfrey/Hannon, Liv, def. McPherson/Velk 6-1, 6-2; Ferguson/Chappell, Liv, def. Gorder/Hamilton 6-1, 6-3.
Havre 4, Lewistown 3
Singles Heggen, Hav, def. Rogan 6-2, 6-0; Borst, Hav, def. Brand 7-6 (8-6) 6-2; Richter, Lew, def. Pyrak 6-1, 6-4; Phifer, Lew, def. S. Shrauger 7-8 (4-7).
Doubles Kuka/T. Shrauger, Hav, def. Bakkedahl/Cauffman 6-4, 6-4; McPherson/Velk, Hav, def. Hill/Jimmerson 6-3, 6-3; Brown/Rutledge, Lew, def. Gorder/Hamilton 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.
