Two ties for Mission boys

BIGFORK - The St. Ignatius boys' tennis team got off to a good start last week, posting 3-3 ties with opponents Bigfork and Troy in the opening matches of its season.

Last Tuesday saw the boys face off against Bigfork in the team's opening match in less than ideal weather conditions.

"The tennis weather for the St. Ignatius Bulldogs has definitely been sketchy at most," head coach Kimimi Ashley said. "Practices have been played with rain, snow, wind and sunshine all within the same two hour practice. But, they have only had to go in twice, so the Bulldogs are ready for any kind of weather and that is what they got this week in their two matches."

Despite cold, snow and hail, the boys pulled out a 3-3 tie, led by wins by its top two singles players. Junior No. 1 Spencer Ahlborn won his match 8-6 while junior Wes Nowlan prevailed in a tiebreak, 8-7 (7-4). The teams played a pro-set, meaning the player first to win eight games wins, rather than the traditional best-of-three sets format.

Newcomer and Thai foreign exchange student Pakin LaBaisa-Ard, a senior, took his match to a tiebreak as well before falling 7-8 (2-8).

"Spencer and Wes are both leaders on the boys' team and by the end of the year will be players to contend with," Ashley said. "They both dug in with mental toughness and pulled out the wins. A great start to their season in which their coaches anticipate some good playing by both."

Ahlborn showed more leadership again Saturday in Troy when he trounced his opponent 6-0, 6-0.

"Spencer remembered Troy's player from last year's state play in that he took out his teammate and he was looking forward to playing him," Ashley said of her boys' No. 1. "Spencer is mentally tough and one of his assets is believing that he can win every time he walks out on that court. He was on in his play Saturday because of this."

Nowlan again impressed Ashley in his tough loss against Troy, while LaBaisa-Ard won the middle of three sets against his opponent in the No. 3 slot.

"Wes played some good tennis on Saturday against his opponent," Ashley said. "They had some long points. Wes has worked hard on his form this season, now we will start working on adding the winning tactic."

Overall, her youthful Bulldog team impressed Ashley.

"The boys' tennis team is a young, but very promising, team," she said. "There are lots of boys that can be switched around in many spots and can push each other in practice. It's a good problem to have in that you have a wide range of players to pick from and trying to decide who will do best in what spot, not just in their playing but also in their frame of mind and reactions to situations."

The girls fared well in their matches too, falling to Bigfork 1-5 but defeating Troy 3-2. The bad weather may have affected the girls' play against Bigfork as their only win in their match was by default, but a beautiful Saturday saw the Lady Bulldogs earn its first win of the season. Sophomore Sarah Bowers continued her solid early season play, winning 6-1, 6-2, while senior Rachel Jensen has stepped in nicely, winning 6-7, 6-4, 10-7. Jensen replaced sophomore Jane Makepeace, who remains out with an ankle injury.

"Rachel and Becky [Hiatt] are new players to the game in their senior year, but both are loving the challenge and willing to learn and putting in the extra time," Ashley said. "Still not sure where they will end up at the end of the year, but know where they are capable of being and helping the team at divisionals or state. They are a nice asset to the team."

Both the boys and girls played Tuesday against Valley Christian but scores were unavailable at press time. The girls will play at Darby this afternoon.