Girls tennis opens with dual win over Kats

The Lady Bulldogs pulled off an impressive 5-2 dual win over Columbia Falls on Thursday to open the tennis season on the right foot.

Caroline Carbo, Simone Craft and Makenna Benbrook each tallied wins in singles to set the tone, while underclassmen led the effort on the doubles side.

Whitefish senior Carbo battled at No. 2 singles to defeat Hailey Sapa 6-4, 6-2. Craft posted a 6-2, 6-2 win over Kaylee Flanigan, and Benbrook won at No. 4 singles 6-3, 6-1.

Heather Luedke and Keara Delaney picked up a 6-1, 6-4 victory at No. 2 doubles, while Anna Peterson and Katie Fyall won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 doubles.

The top doubles team of Sloan Ellis and Carbo fell in a tight three-set match with the Kats’ Elizabeth Jackson and Baylee Brinton.

Whitefish next hosts Libby on April 17.

Whitefish 5, Columbia Falls 2

Singles — Emily Getts, CF, def. Sloan Ellis, 6-1, 6-0; Caroline Carbo, W, def. Hailey Sapa, 6-4, 6-2; Simone Craft, W, def. Kaylee Flanigan, 6-2, 6-2; Makenna Benbrook, W, def. Talta Deires, 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles — Elizabeth Jackson/Baylee Brinton, CF, def. Caroline Carbo/Sloan Ellis, 6-7 (4-7), (7-4); Heather Luedke/Keara Delaney, W, def. Samantha Gilk/Shelby Anderson, 6-1 6-4; Anna Peterson/Katie Fyall, W, def. Sammi Mueller/Natalie Ward, 6-0, 6-0.