Seven letter winners return for 'Kats

After postponement of the first two match dates, the Columbia Falls girls tennis team is scheduled to open the season next Tuesday, April 14 by hosting Polson. Action at Columbia Park begins at 3:30 p.m.

The first two dates of the season — last Thursday against Bigfork and Saturday versus Whitefish — have been rescheduled.

"Like all spring sports, we've been severely challenged by the weather this year," Wildkat coach Jerry Smalley said. " We've been spending indoors gym time on stroke mechanics but there's no real way to see how much learning is transferred to a real tennis court venue.

"It's also difficult to identify the girls who will be playing the most tennis for us, or who will be playing singles or doubles," the coach said.

Sarah Marcille was the only state qualifier last year for C-Falls, and she has graduated.

"This is the first year in many we won't be relying on one of the Marcille sisters playing on top of our lineup," Smalley said.

The top 12 players practice under the guidance of Smalley. The others on the team are coached by Erin Quintia.

Smalley and Quintia have seven returning letter winners. They include seniors Stephanie Raymond, Lydia Freeman, Shelby Hobbs, Aysia Potter and Laura Burgi; juniors Franki Anderson and Pepper Borland; and sophomores Marissa Getts and Lexie Bartkoski.

Players expected to step into varsity roles are sophomore Courtney Tamburelli, and freshmen Gabrielle Stenger and Natalie Law.

"We've got a fun group of girls. They are working hard and enjoy learning how to play tennis," Smalley said. "We'll just have to wait and see how competitive we are as a team this year."