Blue Ponies head to Billings for the Mayfair Invitational

It’s right back to work for the Havre High tennis teams, and the clock is ticking.

Havre travels to Billings Friday and Saturday for the annual Mayfair Invitational, hosted by Billings Central. And with just two weeks until the Northeast A Divisional Tournament, Havre needs to make big strides.

And the Ponies will get plenty of chances to do just that in Billings. On Friday, Havre faces East Helena and Livingston, then plays Miles City, Glendive and Hardin Saturday. The Ponies have faced each of those five teams at least once this season, so, playing them all again gives head coach Jeff Miller a great measuring stick to see where his teams are as the postseason draws near.

On the girls side, Havre is getting veteran leadership from Rayna Johnson, and the doubles tandem of Cat Kaftan and Courtney Burchard, but the tandem of Emerald Tinsley and Mylee Shennum has also stepped up, as have Chloe Bricker and Kate Hemmer in singles.

Havre’s young boys team continues to grow as well. Certainly, Carter Spangler is one of the top singles players in Class A, but sophomore Callen Stoner has really risen to the occasion this season, while junior Mason Kinsella has also become a strong player in his first varsity season.

And overall, both Pony teams have been improving steadily since the season got off to such a rocky start due to the weather. Now though, the weather is cooperating and Havre has five more chances to get better this weekend in Billings.

The Pony tennis teams play at the Mayfair Invitational Friday and Saturday, then wrap up the regular season with trips to Lewistown and Miles City next weekend.