Mission tennis splits season opener

by Dylan Kitzan & Leader Reporter
| March 29, 2012 6:03 PM

ST. IGNATIUS — In its first match of the season, the Mission Lady Bulldogs tennis team got off to a flawless start, blanking a shorthanded Valley Christian team 6-0 in Saturday morning action.

Led by Sarah Bowers and Jane Makepeace, the Lady Bulldogs had little trouble winning their first contest of the year.

Bowers breezed past Kaileigh Moser 6-0, 6-2 while Makepeace made quick work of Hannah Kauffman 6-1, 6-2. Mission proved they have talented players behind their two candidates for runs at state, however. Cierra Dougherty knocked off Alicia Wiles 6-3, 6-2 and Kayla Billette defeated 6-3, 6-2, helping the Lady Bulldogs sweep the singles slate.

The Lady Bulldogs wrapped up the 6-0 victory thanks to a pair of forfeits in doubles.

The teams of Briar Ahlborn and Randi Butterfly and Alexis Paul and Laura Eggeling will have to wait until Thursday, March 29 for their first action of the season.

On the boys side, the Bulldogs got a pair of victories, but Valley Christian earned the 4-2 win.

Karl Daniels began his 2012 campaign in impressive fashion, beating Christopher Manuel 6-4, 6-4. Mission’s doubles team of Troy Bontrager and Chris Camel also picked up a win over Sam Larson and Keldy Grussling 6-3, 6-1.

Katz Yelsa fought hard, but Valley Christian’s Lane Norberg came out on top 6-1, 6-3.

Felix Sonntag and Harry Suta each gave their opponents a run for their money in their singles matches, but fell just short. Levi Bullock got the better of Sonntag 7-6, 6-2 while Suta fell to Cameron Morton 6-1, 7-5.

The Bulldogs’ doubles team of R.J. Blood and Zeeshan Aly got some momentum going in their second set, but the Eagles’ Dylan Dybdal and Adam Richards earned a 6-0, 6-2 win. The teams will be busy this week, as the girls travel to Loyola on Thursday and Eureka on Saturday before heading home to face Ronan on Tuesday, while the boys will also face Loyola and Ronan.