POLSON – The Lady Pirates’ heartbreaking 5-2 dual loss to Whitefish last week couldn’t disrupt the success Polson tennis had this week. The Polson boys were undefeated, and, despite a slight setback, the girls played strong, going 2-1 over the week.

If games were measured on guts alone, Polson’s Shannon Oakley would be an undisputed champion. Oakley’s 7-6 (7-2), 5-7, 7-5 loss to Whitefish’s Sloan Ellis in No. 2 singles Thursday wasn’t short of effort and brought high praise from head coach Robert Hislop.

“The warrior of the week is Shannon Oakley,” said Hislop. “She’s played just short of 12 total hours of tennis [this week].”

Oakley would battle back, winning her No. 2 singles match against Columbia Falls, 7-5, 7-5, before gutting out a 2-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-4) victory in her No. 1 singles match against Stevensville. After the loss to Whitefish, the Lady Pirates comfortably defeated Columbia Falls, 6-1 and Stevensville, 7-0.

Whitney Zimmerman continued her torrid pace with three victories this week, including a 6-0, 6-1 victory in No. 1 doubles against Stevensville.

Perhaps Coach Hislop’s biggest coaching dilemma for the boys is whether to start Dylan McCrumb or Brady Hislop at No. 1 singles. Both players have been outstanding this year, and last week was no different. Both failed to drop a set during Polson’s three-dual weekend and look poised to make a run at state.   

Just like Zimmerman converting to doubles against Stevensville, Coach Hislop inserted his son Brady into the No. 1 doubles match against the Yellow Jackets, and also like Zimmerman, Hislop was dominant.

As we approach the home stretch of the tennis season, Coach Hislop has the talent, now it’s just the process of positioning players in the right places to take that next step to the state title.

Before Saturday’s dual with Columbia Falls, Polson tennis held a dedication ceremony for Polson’s former tennis coach Don Dubuque. His favorite court was honored in his name as Polson tennis remembered Dubuque’s love for the game of tennis.