Lady Dogs clip Kats on court

Whitefish notched its first girls tennis dual win of the season April 12, going 5-2 over Columbia Falls in Northwest A action.

The Lady Bulldogs swept doubles play and took a pair of victories at No. 2 and 3 singles.

Coach Pat Dryden said he was proud of the team for pulling out a number of close victories.

“It was neck and neck,” he said. “The last two matches were up in the air and I’m proud of how we battled.”

At No. 3 doubles Cailyn Ross and Savannah Krause won 6-7 (4), 6-1, 6-2.

“It’s disheartening to lose a first set tie breaker,” Dryden said. “They came storming back to take control of the match.”

Holly Hileman and Janette Kolarzik won 1-6, 7-6 (8), 7-6 (5) at No. 2 doubles in another close finish.

Defending divisional doubles champs Katie Fyall and Anna Peterson took care of business at No. 1 doubles with a win over Sydney Grilley and Morgan Stenger.

“This is a team we’ll have to beat to get to state and our kids really flexed their muscles,” Dryden said.

Whitefish kept the momentum rolling at the Cut Bank Invitational over the weekend. The Lady Dogs notched wins over Havre 6-1, Cut Bank 5-2 and Lewiston 6-1. Their lone loss came at 4-3 to Hardin on a tiebreaker in the final match.

Lili Szundy was impressive at No. 1 singles, going 4-0 on the weekend.

Dryden says all the court time last week helped his team find a groove.

“They’re starting to settle in now,” he said.

Whitefish hosts Stevensville on Saturday at 3 p.m.