CMR tennis returning experience from state trophy teams

The C.M. Russell High boys’ tennis team captured the program’s first state title in nearly 20 years last spring, while the girls also added a trophy with a second-place finish.

A healthy contingent of those contributors return this season for head coaches Byron Boyd and Val Scheevel as the Rustlers aim to add more hardware come late May.

The CMR boys are undefeated in team matches this season, defeating both Billings Senior and Skyview 7-1 to start the season before sweeping both Helena Capital and Helena High 8-0 last weekend.

The Rustler boys remained undefeated Saturday, downing Kalispell Flathead 7-1 and Kalispell Glacier 5-3, while the girls also took both matches beating the Braves 6-2 and the Wolfpack 5-3.

“The kids have been working hard,” Boyd, the CMR boys’ mentor said. “The boys’ team is very motivated for the goal and I think we’ve got a really strong core of guys and good leadership. They really believe in themselves after last year.”

Leading the boys in singles is senior Carson Rich, who last weekend defeated defending state champion Ryan Ashley of Capital in three sets while also taking down Helena High No. 1 Will Johnson, who he had never beaten in his career. Rich won both of his Saturday matches against the Kalispell schools in two sets.

“He put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and it’s showing,” Boyd said of Rich. “He’s matured as a player and as an individual. The hard work and dedication he’s shown to working on his game in the offseason, is paying off. He’s a really good role model for everybody on the team.”

Senior Mac Bruce is also undefeated through the first four matches this spring, while Kade Haverlandt has moved up to the No. 3 singles spot followed by Aeden Bingham, who made the move from doubles.

Josh Stimac, a part of a state finalist team last season with the graduated Carter Corn, will help lead the doubles contingent in his junior year.

“Josh put in a lot of hard work in the offseason, too,” Boyd said. “He was very motivated by not winning that championship match, so he’s very motivated to get back and try again. He’s a very enthusiastic, outgoing guy. It’s great to have his energy on the team.”

Stimac has competed alongside both Brady Corn and Brady Pike this season, and Boyd said the Rustlers are looking to see what pairs work best for the Nos. 1 and 2 slots along with freshman Eli Crist.

“We haven’t solidified the top-two doubles spots yet but we will after this weekend,” Boyd said. “It’s the same four players, we’re just not sure what the combinations are going to be… Brady Pike and Brady Corn are both strong players, but just have a little different game style. With Josh and Brady Pike and Brady Corn, we’ve got really solid (Nos. 1 and 2) doubles teams.”

The CMR girls, headed by Scheevel, welcome back three seniors in No. 1 doubles tandem Becca Sherman and Olivia Martello, as well as No. 2 doubles player Mackenzie Tuss.

“We have some strong returners that we have back, and then we have some new players to tennis, also,” Scheevel said. “So, we have kind of a mix this year. I’m hopeful for our season. We have good leadership with three seniors that are strong leaders for us that do a good job of building team unity. It’s just a good atmosphere to play in.”

The Rustlers fell 6-2 to both Skyview and Senior in Billings but rebounded for a pair of victories over Capital (6-2) and Helena High (7-1) last Saturday.

Sophomore Grace Kauffman moves into the No. 1 singles spot after state qualifiers Ruby Jennings and Lia Stuelpner graduated.

“I am excited to see what she does,” Scheevel said. “She has good tennis experience and we’re bringing her along to this new position. It’s obviously different playing No. 1 than No. 2 or 3, even. The competition is a little stronger, so it takes some adjusting but she’s doing a good job.”

Junior Ryann Walker, who competed on a state-qualifying doubles team last season, made the switch to No. 2 singles for Scheevel this season.

“She really wanted to play singles this year so I think she’s happy with that decision and is adjusting really well,” Scheevel said. “She has a pretty steady game and she’s a competitor, so I think she’s going to do well in her position.”

Sherman and Martello, who both competed at state last spring with different partners, have began to find their stride as the top pairing for CMR this year, Scheevel said.

“They play well together and are getting their chemistry going as a team which takes a little bit of time,” Scheevel said. “They’ve been working hard and I have high hopes for them.”

Tuss and Parker Humble are also returning varsity players that have teamed up for the No. 2 unit.

State-qualifier Keira Richards suffered a knee injury in the fall, Scheevel said, but the team hopes to ease her into practice this year and hopefully have her compete later in the season should she be able.

This article originally appeared on Great Falls Tribune: CMR tennis returning experience from state trophy teams