Montrose tennis showing improvement in Open

GRAND JUNCTION — The Montrose tennis team is starting to get into the swing of things. The Indians played on Friday in the Western Slope Open, which continues today, and Montrose assistant tennis coach Bruce Herr said he and head coach Basil Mike were liking what they saw out of Montrose on Friday.

“Overall, we’re improving,” Herr said. “This is just good experience for us.”

While the Indians didn’t beat out all their competition, they did play better tennis. Montrose’s Robert Herr was one of the Indians’ top players on Friday.

“He played very well in singles,” Bruce Herr said.

In No. 1 singles, Robert Herr beat Durango in three sets and beat Cherry Creek in two sets, 2-0 and 2-0 respectively. Herr will play today against Central in the finals.

Montrose’s Tim Koski lost his set to Chatfield, but Herr said he was still pleased.

“He had some rough matches, but he played good tennis though,” Herr said.

Montrose’s Tyler Betz had a solid performance in No. 2 singles. Betz beat out Heritage in three matches, 6-4, love-6 and 10-6 respectively. He then went on to beat Cherry Creek in two sets.

Herr said Robert Herr’s and Betz wins over Cherry Creek were something to be proud of, as they have been a top tennis team for years.

“Two wins over Cherry Creek is impressive,” Herr said. “They are an elite club and we played against them well.”

After Cherry Creek, Betz played against Steamboat and lost 7-6 and 7-5. Herr said he was proud of Betz efforts throughout the day and said he thought if Betz had played Steamboat earlier in the day, he would have won.

In No. 1 doubles, Pete Thomas and Wean Nunez of Montrose lost in two to Cherry Creek, 6-0 and 6-0. However, they beat Fruita in two, 6-4 and 6-4. Montrose no. 1 doubles plays again today in the back draw semifinals.

In no. 2 doubles, Mitch Reagen and Joe Nunez of Montrose lost to Steamboat in two matches, 7-6 and 6-0, but beat Fruita in three, 7-6, 2-6, and 10-6. They play in the back draw semis today as well.

In No. 3 doubles, Brian Davidson and Aaron Arellano of the Indians lost to Heritage, but beat out Durango, 6-2, 4-6 and 10-7. They play today in the back draw semis.

And in No. 4 doubles,  Zach Decker and Dough Hallenborg ofMontrose lost to Denver East in two, 6-2 and 6-2. They then lost to Aspen. However, they will play again in the consolation semis today.

Despite some losses, Herr said he was encouraged by his team because five out of seven players scored points for Montrose in the open on Friday and they were becoming better skilled.

“Out of 18 teams, we’re somewhere in the middle,” Herr said. “We’re getting better.”

Herr said the Indians were becoming more consistent when it came to hitting shots and keeping the ball in play.

“It isn’t an easy thing to do, but they are learning,” he said.

He also said they are starting to become aware of having to make adjustments during a match, which is important.

The Indians will play next today in the second day of the Western Slope Open.