Bulldogs head to State with strength

ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Bulldogs boys tennis team finished the regular season by completing one of their goals set forward by coach Martin Ashley. Coach Ashley wanted his team to play well against the top ranked, four-time state champion Cut Bank team, which Mission was able to defeat Friday, 4-2.

Last Thursday Mission knocked off Loyola 6-0 with every player giving it their best. Mission's top 'Dog Riley McCollum defeated last years third place State winner Keith Miller 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).

"He came out on Thursday ready to play," said Ashley.

McCollum stayed patient and waited for the right time to attack Miller.

"It's nice to win, he is a good player. I just wanted to hit the ball in. This win should help me going into State (tournament)," said a smiling McCollum.

On Saturday the Bulldogs played against Cut Bank for bragging rights heading into the State tourney. McCollum suffered a tough loss to Cut Banks Brian McDivitt who finished second at State last year.

"I think that his nerves just overcame him," said Ashley.

Mission's Jay Jenson defeated Cut Bank's Noel Gieger 6-1, 6-0. Casey Cable and Ian Fleming also won their singles matches. "They have been working very hard all week," said Ashley.

In doubles play Austin Arlint and Zach Allen faced a talented Cut Bank pair and fell 6-4, 6-0.

Brothers Ben and Taylor Lipscomb tested their ability this weekend against Cut Bank. The Lipscomb pair was able to knock off Sage Sammons and Brian Lindberg 7-5, 7-6 (7-5).

"I'm proud of the way they took the challenge and never gave up," said Ashley.

This win against Cut Bank should show the boys team that if they keep working hard good things can happen, coach Ashley added.

On the girls side Mission started on the week strong but faced some trouble against four time state champs Boulder.

Mission's Reese Hendrickz is getting back into the swing of things for the Bulldogs.

"We expect her to get right back into her winning ways," said Ashley.

Mission's No. 1 doubles team of Lacy Frey and Laura Wheeler played against a tough pair from Loyola. Frey and Wheeler never gave up but Loyola got the best of them 6-4, 7-5.

On Friday the girls team did well taking down Cut Bank 4-2, but couldn't keep up against Boulder.

Mission fell to Boulder 5-0 who as a team has four state titles under their belt.

Mission's Lynsee Inmee and Carolina Orozcho have been working on shortening their points and playing smarter, said Ashley. Both Inmee and Orozcho proved they are willing to challenge themselves and it showed when they both won against Loyola and Cut Bank.

The girls team also traveled to Missoula on Saturday to compete in the Best of The West tourney. The tournament showcased eight of the best tennis teams from the western side of Montana, which also is a good showing of who will be at the State tournament.

Orozcho placed fifth in the No. 4 girls singles spot and Hendrickz placed sixth in the No. 3 spot.

Coach Ashley is hoping the team will keep working hard in practice this week and can take it to the next level.

"We've been telling them at practices that the levels (of play) all around need to be upped if they want to do well at Divisionals and State," said Ashley.

Both the boys and girls team will be playing in the Divisionals at Libby Friday and Saturday.

"They all have the ability and they did show it in Missoula by three of our singles players and one of our doubles all winning their last matches," Ashley said.

GIRLS

St. Ignatius 3 - Loyola 3

#1 Singles - Sara Ashley (SI) D. Caitlin Hall (L) 6-1, 6-3

#2 Singles - Lynsey Inmee (SI) D. Ali Hege (L) 6-4, 6-0

#3 Singles - Natalie Dial (L) D. Reese Hendrickz (SI)

#4 Singles - Carolina Orozcho (SI) D. Ashley Wegener (L) 6-2, 6-3

#1 Doubles - Barnhill/Wade (L) D. Frey/Wheeler (SI) 6-4, 7-5

#2 Doubles - White/Fortunate (L) D. Frazzini/Callahan (SI) 6-3, 6-1

GIRLS

St. Ignatius 4 - Cut Bank 2

#1 Singles - Sara Ashley (SI) D. Trisha Bauer (C) 6-2, 6-3

#2 Singles - Lynsee Inmee (SI) D. Kelsey Cooper (C) 6-4, 6-0

#3 Singles - Laura Gregg (C) D. Reese Hendrickx (SI) 6-1, 6-2

#4 Singles - Carolina Orozcho (SI) D. Melissa Helvik (C) 6-4, 7-6 (7-2)

#1 Doubles - Jessica Jacobsen/Melanie Rice (C) D. Lacy Frey/Laura Wheeler (SI) 6-1, 6-0

#2 Doubles - Frankie Frazzini/Nicole Callahan (SI) D. Caitlyn Brown/Callie Cooper 6-0, 6-3

GIRLS

St. Ignatius 0 - Boulder 5

#1 Singles - Jacey Cooper (B) D. Sara Ashley (SI) 6-2, 6-1

#2 Singles - Alyssa Ziegler (B) D. Lynsee Inmee (SI) 7-6 (7-5), 6-4

#3 Singles - Darby Smith (B) D. Reese Hendrickx (SI) 6-4, 6-0

#4 Singles - Rained Out

#1 Doubles - Maria Jessen/Shawn Knutzer (B) D. Lacy Frey/Laura Wheeler (SI) no score

#2 Doubles - Courtney Rehor/Rachelle Beverly (B) D. Frankie Frazzini/Nicole Callahan (SI) 6-1, 6-2

BOYS

St. Ignatius 6 - Loyola 0

#1 Singles - Riley McCollum (SI) D. Keith Miller (L) 6-4, 7-6 (5)

#2 Singles - Casey Cable (SI) D. Franklin Muth (L) 6-1, 6-2

#3 Singles - Ian Fleming (SI) D. Will Ford (L) 6-0, 6-0

#4 Singles - Ben Lipscomb (SI) D. Alex Wellandor (L)

#1 Doubles - Austin Arlint/Zach Allen (SI) D. Loyola 6-0, 6-0

#2 Doubles - FORFEIT

BOYS

St. Ignatius 4 - Cut Bank 2

#1 Singles - Brian McDivitt (C) D. Riley McCollum (SI) 6-3, 6-0

#2 Singles - Jay Jensen (SI) D. Noel Gieger (C) 6-1, 6-0

#3 Singles - Casey Cable (SI) D. Brett Cline (C) 6-4, 6-2

#4 Singles - Ian Fleming (SI) D. Steven Paulson (C) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)

#1 Doubles - Kyle Lewis/Matt Whelchel (C) D. Austin Arlint/Zach Allen (SI) 6-4, 6-0

#2 Doubles - Ben Lipscomb/Taylor Lipscomb (SI) D. Sage Sammons/Brian Lindberg (C) 7-5, 7-6 (7-5)