Polson tennis sweeps Hamilton, Libby in opener
MAX DUPRAS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 14 hours, 6 minutes AGO
Max Dupras joined the Lake County Leader as a sports reporter in January of 2026. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Montana. Max is a lifelong Montana resident, growing up watching Griz sports in Missoula. He has covered sports and news for multiple publications, including the Rapid City Journal, NonStop Local News and the Montana Kaimin. He is also a former intern of the Lake County Leader, having covered everything from city council meetings to wildfires. He covers sports for all Lake County schools. Reach out to Max at [email protected] or 406.531.0978 | April 2, 2026 12:00 AM
It was a packed weekend for the start of high school tennis, albeit a chilly start to the year. For the Polson Pirates, it was the best start you could ask for.
Polson was unstoppable on March 27 when they welcomed Hamilton and Libby to town.
Starting in girls singles against Libby, Karley Smith won against Claire Fantozzi 6-3 and 6-2 in both matches. Baylee Lemm beat Augie Baily 6-0 and 6-3 in both her matches as well.
Johanna Bieber bested Kayla Mesenbrink 6-3 and 6-2, and Lindy Dupuis topped Jill Stewart 7-5 and 6-0 to secure the girls singles sweep of the Loggers.
In girls doubles, Josie Henriksen and Vivian Grainey beat Libby’s Bella Meyer and Aubrey Davis 6-4 and 6-1 to start the doubles wins.
Greta Lund and Zoe Schroeder helped with a win over Ashlenn James and Shya Huck 6-3 and 6-2. Cleo Martin and Amy Thoft notched the girls doubles sweep over Libby with their win against Ludy Deshazer and Autumn Kanan in two matches of 6-2 and 6-1.
On the boys side, it was the same result. Ruger Ellis started the winning with a victory over Libby’s Blaise Erickson 6-0 and 6-0. Marcus Lucas helped with a win over Zander Gassmann 6-1 and 6-0. Zayne Newman earned a personal sweep over Easton Gilmore 6-0 and 6-0. Maddox Bird capped off the boys singles sweep with a win over Eaddon Baca 6-3 and 6-0.
The boys doubles teams also continued the sweep. Strider Gage and Teague McElwee nabbed the first win against Cole Sunell and Alex Reate 6-0 and 6-1. Parker Hendrickson and Truman Sawyer added on with a win over Dayton Hardy and Jon Cano 6-2, 5-7 and 10-6. Aiden Takacs and Brody Kline rounded it out with a win over Jaxon Huni and Colby Iliff 6-2, 2-6 and 11-9.
Against Hamilton, both squads saw more competitive matches but still found the success they needed to win the weekend.
Hamilton’s Charlie Holmes got the first win over Baylee Lemm, 6-2 and 6-1. However, Bieber got revenge with a win over Lily Monaco 6-2 and 6-4. Zoe Schroeder kept the momentum up with a win over Kiera Judy 6-3 and 6-1. Amy Thoft rounded out the girls singles overall victory against Bryn Cidyflone 6-3 and 6-4.
In girls doubles, Polson didn’t drop a match. Greta Lund and Karley Smith took an early win over Alexias Anson and Kari Hattiestud 6-1 and 6-0. Henriksen and Vivian Grainey continued winning against Avery Dowdy and Sorgg Duerr 6-1 and 6-1. Cleo Martin and Lindy Dupuis landed the final blow with a win over Rhain Hollingworth and Eden Smith, 6-2 and 6-4.
For the boys singles, Marcus Lucas took the first win for the Polson boys over Jackson Kirkbride 6-3 and 7-6. Strider Gage followed that up with a win over Jayce Strain, 6-3 and 6-1. Brody Kline got the final Polson boys singles win over Artem Akopyn 2-6, 6-4 and 10-3. Hamilton’s Otto Gantz beat Aiden Takacs 6-1 and 6-2.
The Polson boys doubles rounded out the wins with Ellis and Teague McElwee beating Jackson Kirk and James Luffberg 6-3 and 6-2. Hamilton fought back with Greyson Weber and Simon Naids beating Sawyer and Parker Hendrickson 6-3, 2-6 and 10-3. However, Newman and Bird, Polson got the final victory over Brayden Duce and Oliver Simpson 6-3 and 6-2.
Polson senior Baylee Lemm goes after a ball against Hamilton on March 27 in Polson Tennis Courts. (Bob Gunderson Photo)ARTICLES BY MAX DUPRAS
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