Missoula Mission Man
MISSOULA — Mission tennis headed to Missoula last week for the state tournament and the Bulldogs were able to snag some wins from Montana’s finest players.
No. 1 singles player Karl Daniels was the most impressive Bulldog, winning his first three matches en route to a sixth-place state finish. In those matches, Daniels won 36 of 50 games he played.
MISSOULA — Mission tennis headed to Missoula last week for the state tournament and the Bulldogs were able to snag some wins from Montana’s finest players.
No. 1 singles player Karl Daniels was the most impressive Bulldog, winning his first three matches en route to a sixth-place state finish. In those matches, Daniels won 36 of 50 games he played.
“Karl did very well for his first year playing singles,” head coach Kimimi Ashley said. “He came out strong and hit his shots, getting to the net his first round of matches and that took a lot out of him. The heat also played a factor for everyone because we hadn’t had it all season long and then it just hit them in the face.”
Daniels’ fourth-round opponent was eventual state champion Colter Mahlum, who downed Daniels 6-2, 6-2 as heat began to take its toll. In his final match, Daniels was defeated by Conrad’s Austin Zomer 6-3, 6-2, an opponent he defeated by the exact same score in the third round. Felix Sonntag, at No. 2, impressed in a second-round 6-2, 7-5 win against Valley Christian’s Cameron Morton, while the top doubles team of Harry Suta and Katz Yelsa nabbed a second-round 6-4, 6-2 victory against Loyola after giving Luke Schlosser and Camron Janzen, the eventual doubles champions, a spirited 6-2, 6-3 match.
For the Lady Bulldogs, Jane Makepeace was the lone representative after Sarah Bowers injured her ankle just before divisionals. Makepeace had a very successful run, hanging with Kristine Warlick 6-2, 6-3 before rallying from a set down to upend Chester’s Sadie Brown 4-6, 6-0, 7-6 (3).
“A typical match for Jane is a first-set loss due to unforced errors on her part trying to force winners and tough shots, to which I remind her to stop forcing the winners and wait patiently for the opportunity for an easy and high percentage winner, and then she goes out with new patience and easily takes the next two sets,” ladies head coach Sara Ison said. “This match was no different.”
Makepeace had a chance to go further, but another rally fell just short, as Brianna Massey of Darby survived Makepeace’s run to win 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
“I love Jane, and she knows that, and knows that I think she is a great player and that she has many years of tennis ahead of her even if it isn’t on a school team, so with that kind of heart it’s safe to say that Jane could have and should have won that match,” Ison said. “That being said, she did not give up, it just seemed like nothing would work for her. She tried and fought her heart out, but nothing seemed to stay in and the ball kept flying out or into the net.”
Despite having just one state participant, Ison was very happy with her girls and how they played during the season and is looking forward to the next campaign.
“You know, I had really hoped we would have finished better, brought more girls to state and lasted longer at state but even so, I am very proud of my girls,” Ison said. “In total, it was a great season and it was a great season for our three younger players (Kayla Billette, Briar Ahlborn and Cierra Dougherty) to build on. It laid a solid foundation for them and our seniors played some great tennis this year.”