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Jesse Dimich-Louvet claims State AA singles; Billings Senior sweeps team titles

Posted at 6:22 PM, May 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-07-05 15:37:40-04

KALISPELL — A year ago, Jesse Dimich-Louvet was living in France.

Friday, the Billings Senior singles tennis player was celebrating a State AA championship in Kalispell.

Dimich-Louvet bested Missoula Big Sky’s Liam Johnson 6-2, 6-4, in the finals on the way to his first Class AA title. It was admittedly something he would never have imagined last spring.

“Pretty crazy,” Dimich-Louvet said. “12 months ago I was sitting in my room in Paris, France, and my mom said we were moving to Montana. And so it was a shock. I got the chance to play for the Billings Senior High Broncs and to win the title is… absolutely… I’m at a loss of words right now.”

Dimich-Louvet opened the tournament Thursday with a 6-2, 6-3, win over CMR’s Dustin Hassell, followed by a three-set quarterfinal win over Jake Treece of Missoula Sentinel.

Helena’s Cory Bowlby challenged the opening set in Friday morning’s semifinals, but Dimich-Louvet outlasted him 7-6 (5), 6-2, to reach the Class AA finals.

“I mean you work really hard all winter,” Dimich-Louvet said. “That’s what you practice for, these big matches.”

Jay Montague bounced back to place third after falling in the quarterfinals.

Both efforts led Senior’s boys to the team title with 23 points. Bozeman finished second as with 18, followed by Missoula Sentinel with 15.

Senior’s girls shared the AA team title with Bozeman, each totaling 13 points. Billings Skyview, Helena High, Great Falls and Butte shared the next spot totaling nine points apiece.

Makenzy Gilsdorf and Annie Woods reached the girls doubles final for the Broncs but fell to Olivia Panarella Hannah Worden of Missoula Hellgate 6-3, 6-0.