Three teams, two days, four spots.

Those are the tennis numbers to watch for at the Class AA Northern Divisional, which gets under way today at 1 p.m. on the courts at Flathead Valley Community College. Play will resume Friday at 8 a.m.

Flathead is hosting this year's event for the first time in three years. C.M. Russell and Great Falls High are also competing.

The top four finishers in singles play and doubles advance to the Class AA state tournament May 19-20 in Billings.

"We have a very young squad," said Flathead coach Buck Measure.

"They had a difficult season to start with, however their progress has been fascinating. They have made a lot of improvment in the last two weeks."

The Braves and Bravettes will have five seniors in action, eight juniors, six sophomores and a freshman.

Flathead has just three performers back who competed at state a year ago - juniors Sarah Newgard, Hanna Hanes and Alix Dixon.

Newgard advanced to state in doubles, finishing fourth. Newgard and Kelli Walterskirchen, graduated, were divisional champions.

Hanes and Dixon also competed in state doubles last year. They finished fourth at the divisional.

"She's primed and ready for divisionals," said Measure of Newgard.

"She's excited for the competition."

The last time Newgard played a season at singles was was a freshman.

"She was looking forward to it," said Measure of Newgard returning to singles.

"She had a broken foot at the beginning (of the season). She had to work through that."

Newgard and Izzy Makman, a freshman, have shared the No. 1 singles slot for much of the season.

Elli Brown, a junior, has played well at No. 3 singles.

The the doubles teams for the FHS boys are new this year.

"All have developed very well," said Measure.

"It takes some time to become a team player."

In singles play, junior Travis Cattron has maintained his No. 1 spot all season.

"They have all been really committed," said Measure of his players.

"They worked through the winter and are all taking at this point of playing through the summer."

Measure says the CMR girls, defending divisional champs, have two talented singles players in Charlie Murphy and Quincy Carter. Carter defeated Murphy for the divisional title last year, 6-2, 6-2.

CMR's doubles team of Nick Richards and David Anderson return to defend their divisional title.

The Great Falls boys took divisional honors a year ago.

Flathead Divisional Lineup

Boys

Singles - Travis Cattron, jr.; Ryan Gregg, sr.; Wesley Mathison, so; Charlie Satterlee, sr.

Doubles - Josh Brann, so./Cody Harrison, so.; Erik Skybak, so./Kevin Burfeind, jr.; Jeremy Loween, jr./John Thiebes, sr.

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Girls

Singles - Sarah Newgard, jr.; Izzy Makman, fr.; Elli Brown, jr.; Heather Wallace, sr.

Doubles - Hanna Hanes, jr./Alix Dixon, jr.; Chelsie Vaudt, so./Ashlie Vaudt, jr.; Theresa Gill, sr./Maggie Sherrill, so.