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Three Forks junior Malia Eriksson (far right) finished sixth at last week's state tournament. Courtesy photo.
Claire Cutler and Mikayla Lear set up for defense against Graham/Rodenberg from Wolf Point. Photo by Kathy Wilcox
With a sixth-place finish at last week's Class B/C State Tennis Tournament in Missoula, Three Forks junior Malia Eriksson became the first player in program history to medal at state.
Wolves Head Coach Janna Lauver described Eriksson's journey to placement as a thrilling experience that ended the 2024 season on a high note.
Eriksson opened play on May 23 with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Paetyn Templet of Fort Benton. After losing her next match 1-6, 6-7 to Patience Lorenz, Eriksson ended the first day with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Jasisa Stieg of Baker.
On the second day, Eriksson opened with a 6-4, 7-6 over Emily Enos of Baker and a 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) win over Avery O'Connor of Baker. Eriksson finished day two with a win over Amalee Schneider of Missoula Loyola.
On the third day of play, Eriksson fell in three sets to Kylie Kovatch and lost in the fifth-place match 7-5, 1-6, 2-6 to Abby Hutton of Conrad.
Lauver said Eriksson's final two-hour match was thrilling and full of many great shots, positive attitudes, and great sportsmanship.
Senior Sophie Meskimen ended her Wolves career at the state tournament. In day one action, Meskimen fell 2-6, 1-6 to Mya Berreth of Chinook and was eliminated after a 5-7, 6-4, 5-7 loss to Taylor Awbery of Superior.
"We are proud of Sophie's tennis career, four years of hard work, and her determination took her to state," Lauver said.
The senior doubles team of Maddie Griffiths and Karin Williams opened state with a 6-2, 6-2 win over Place/Simonovick of Troy. Griffiths and Williams fell 0-6 0-6 to Kayl Hadley and Kyal Hadley of Baker in their second match.
The senior duo bounced back to end day one with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Graham/Rodenberg of Wolf Point.
In day two action, Griffiths and Williams were eliminated after a 2-6, 3-6 loss to VanderBos/Delica of Conrad.
"We are proud of their tennis career, including three showings at state their sophomore, junior, and senior years. We want them to continue to play into their adults and dominate," Lauver said.
The Three Forks doubles team of junior Claire Cutler and sophomore Mikayla Lear opened the tournament with a 0-6, 0-6 loss to DeGroot/Harvey of Valley Christian. They were eliminated from the tournament after a 6-2, 4-6, 6-7 (2-7) loss to Graham/Rodenberg.
"We are really impressed at their first state tournament and look forward to next year," Lauver said.
