Bulldogs come oh-so-close to tennis title

ST. IGNATIUS — The Bulldogs wrapped up their tennis season with a close second place at State and the Lady Bulldogs were just as impressive as they moved up the ranks finishing in sixth.

"It was a great year of tennis for the Bulldogs, both the boys and girls teams," coach Kimimi Ashley said.

The Bulldogs finished with 42 points for second place to be beaten out for the State title by Cut Bank with a three-point advantage.

"The boys came the closest they ever have to winning the State B/C Tennis Title," she said.

The Lady Bulldogs started out the year working on improving their game and they did accomplish that enough so that they were Divisional champions and contenders at State.

"Just as the boys team was close, the girls team was so close to bringing home a third place trophy from State," she said.

The Lady 'Dogs were within two points of taking third place.

"[It was] actually a tie at 16 points by three other teams and St. Ignatius had 15 points. In the end the girls came in sixth place out of 22 teams. Not a bad showing and a great feeling to know that they were right in the thick of it," she said.

Coach Martin Ashley said that it was hard for the boys to get so close to the title and lose it by a few points but he pondered on the year in its entirety and he hopes that the boys are proud of what they did accomplish.

"It was a sad moment that we almost had it and just came up short but when I think back on it we should be really proud of how we did do. We were ahead in points on the final day of play. St. Ignatius had 25 and Cut Bank had 22. We had a chance to bring home the title, that was exciting to have the chance. I'm proud of the boys and what they gave me this year. They are a great bunch of boys and they held their heads high still aiming for the title until the last match. A coach can't hope for more. I hope they are proud of themselves in what they did accomplish this year and I thank them for the opportunity to be a part of this experience," he said.

Individual medals won at the State Tournament included Riley McCollum with the second place singles medal and Casey Cable was in fourth place.

"Look for Casey to be coming back strong next year and having the State Title in his grasp," Ashley said. "Riley had four wins and one loss in the Championship match. Riley had a fantastic win over Cutbank's favorite Brett Cline. He was pumped and so ready to win."

Austin Arlint and Max Willet took third place in the doubles tournament and other team members did well also.

"Jay Jensen and Wyatt McCollum had a great year of play and a good run at State, but both eventually lost twice which put them out of play before they got to the placement rounds," she said. "We are regretfully losing Jay to graduation and will miss him. Wyatt will be back next year and will be a strong player on the team."

First place Divisional's winner Sara Ashley had a good weekend with four wins and two losses, and she brought home the fourth place singles award.

"Sara played smart tennis all weekend. She was nervous about this being her last year of high school tennis and had to fight off the nerves. We are so proud that she figured out how to beat girls by being patient and making some great net plays," she said.

Second place Divisional's winner and first place Best of the West winner, Barb Pfeifer, had a good run at her first year of State tennis, finishing with three wins and two losses.

"Barb excelled so much at the end of the year in her mental play. We are looking forward to her coming back next year," she said.

The flu hampered the girl's duo of Staci Udall and Sara Phillips but they showed spirit by showing up to the tournament.

"[They] were just lucky to be on the courts with the way they were feeling. There were times we were just hoping they didn't [throw up] on the courts. We are proud that they wanted to be there and give it a try even though healthwise they were out of it. They are both younger players and will come back strong next year," Kimimi said.

BOYS

Casey Cable 4th place

Casey Cable(SI) def. Josh Paulson(CB) 7-6(7-1), 4-6, 6-2

Casey Cable(SI) def. Jordon Cobb(Con) 6-2, 6-2

Keith Miller(L) def. Casey Cable(SI) 6-1, 6-3

Casey Cable(SI) def. William Gray(VC) 6-1, 6-2

Brett Cline(CB) def. Casey Cable(SI) 6-4, 6-1

Riley McCollum 2nd place

Riley McCollum(SI) def. Spencer Lewis(CB) 6-1, 6-0

Riley McCollum(SI) def. Jason Dark (L) 6-0, 6-1

Riley McCollum(SI) def. Sam Henderson(T) 6-2, 6-4

Riley McCollum(SI) def. Brett Cline(CB) 6-3, 7-5

Keith Miller(L) def. Riley McCollum(SI) 6-0, 6-3

Jay Jensen(SI) def. Mark Parment(L) no score

Brett Cline(CB) def. Jay Jensen(SI) 6-2, 7-5

Jay Jensen(SI) def. Spencer Lewis(CB) 6-2, 6-2

Jay Jensen(SI) def. Max Gravik(T) 6-0, 6-2

Neil Christiansen(VC) def. Jay Jensen(SI) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3

Wyatt McCollum(SI) def. Jeremy Whelchel(CB) 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

Keith Miller(L) def. Wyatt McCollum(SI) 6-2, 6-0

Wyatt McCollum(SI) def. Randy Hoffman(L) no score

Wyatt McCollum(SI) def. Matt Rogers(T) 6-4, 6-3

William Gray(VC) def. Wyatt McCollum(SI) 6-3, 6-4

Willet/Arlint 3rd place

Whelchel/Pyette(CB) def. Willet/Arlint(SI) 1-6, 6-3, 7-6(7-5)

Willet/Arlint(SI) def. Makepeace/Jensen(SI) 6-1, 6-0

Willet/Arlint(SI) def. Velin/Grad(VC) 6-1, 6-0

Willet/Arlint(SI) def. Springer/Zemple(Con) 6-3, 6-2

Schlosser/Vandenboxon def. Makepeace/Jensen(SI) 6-2, 6-4

Willet/Arlint(SI) def. Makepeace/Jensen(SI)

GIRLS

Sara Ashley 4th place

Sara Ashley(SI) def. Keli Gentilini(Bak) 6-3, 6-1

Sara Ashley def. Erika Letwon(WH) 6-0, 6-0

Sara Ashley(SI) def. Amanda Violett(CJI) 6-2, 6-2

Amber Keil(Con) def. Sara Ashley(SI) 7-6(7-2), 6-4

Sara Ashley(SI) def. Tempe Reagen(S) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3

Jaycee Cooper(B) def. Sara Ashley(SI) 6-1, 3-6, 6-2

Barb Pfeifer(SI) def. Karin Bretz(VC) 4-6, 6-3, 6-1

Jaycee Cooper(B) def. Barb Pfeifer(SI) 6-0, 6-3

Barb Pfeifer(SI) def. Keli Gentilini(Bak) 6-0, 6-3

Barb Pfeifer(SI) def. Charlene Yingcharoen(BS) 3-6, 6-1, 6-4

Christine Eggensperger(D) def. Barb Pfeifer(SI) 3-6, 6-1, 6-4

Roll/Chunkapurea(For) def. Udall/Keeble(SI) 6-0, 6-1

Morris/Kerry(B) def. Udall/Keeble(SI) 6-1, 6-2