ST. IGNATIUS - The Mission girls won their first dual of the

season on Saturday with a 4-2 victory over Troy as many of the new

players are starting to get a good understanding of the game.

ST. IGNATIUS - The Mission girls won their first dual of the season on Saturday with a 4-2 victory over Troy as many of the new players are starting to get a good understanding of the game.

"We have been working a lot on their ground strokes and I'm starting to see improvement there," Mission head coach Sarah Ison said. "Also, the majority of my team are players who haven't played before, but now they are starting to become ‘match tough' and play smart. McKenzie [Trudeau] is one that comes to mind, she is starting to figure out what works and what doesn't."

After losing her match on April 5 against Bigfork's Ariel Stallknecht 6-4, 6-3, Trudeau bounced back in the Troy Dual with a 6-0, 6-3 victory over Sara Helmrick.

It's that kind of improvement that bodes well for the Lady Bulldogs as they work for the postseason.

"We really don't put a lot of emphasis on season matches because we are very divisional and state focused. That's not to say though that it doesn't feel good when you pick up a dual win," Ison said. "I think it showed the girls that they are capable of being a strong team and hopefully in three weeks at divisionals will show themselves to be the team to beat."

The Troy match saw Mission's Sarah Bowers defeat Jackie Pepiot 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 6-2 in the No. 1 singles matchup.

"Last year, Sarah and her doubles partner, Becky Hiatt, lost to Pepiot and her partner in the divisional semis, so Sarah was really chomping at the bit to win this match," Ison said.

The Lady Bulldogs' Jane Makepeace downed Holli Higgins 6-0, 6-3 in the No. 2 singles match. Daniela Raith rounded out the No. 3 match with a 6-2, 5-7, 6-1 victory for Mission over Alissa Pepiot and Troy forfeited the No. 4 singles contest.

In doubles action, Troy's Tara Duzan and Allison Hight got past Mission's Sydney Allard and Robyn Mitchell 6-0, 6-2.

"I know for sure that Ashley and Sydney are my No. 1 doubles team. They are both fast, athletic, and aggressive at times," Ison said. "We're still working on getting that competitiveness out of them because I've seen it in volleyball. Once they see that they can be a really good team, and it doesn't matter that it's their first year, things will start to click."

Kellie Lundin and Katie Lundin also picked up the win for Troy in the No. 2 doubles match over Katie Hogge and Cierra Dougherty, 6-0, 6-2.

Against Bigfork on April 5, Mission was defeated 4-2 but it wasn't without positives.

"Bigfork was really close," Ison said. "Sarah and Jane especially were very even with their opponents. It was just one of those days where you play good but the score just doesn't go your way. Just too many unforced errors. Overall, I think they played pretty good against Bigfork and I'm excited to see them play them at divisionals."

The No. 1 match was a squeaker as Bigfork's Hannah Barrett just got past Bowers 7-5, 7-6 (7-2).

"Sarah for sure was a star this week," Ison said. "She is moving up another level in her game and starting to gravitate to the net more and more, which in my opinion

will make you hard to beat especially in girls tennis. Her hitting is starting to come in really solid."

Bigfork's Kianna Wicklund just got past Jane Makepeace

7-6, (7-3), 6-2. After Trudeau fell in her match, another close one, the Vals' Mackenna Gembala downed Morgan Andres 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-10 in a nail-bitter.

Mission won both doubles' matches by default.

Bigfork 4, Mission 2

Singles

Hannah Barrett, Bigfork, def. Sarah Bowers 7-5, 7-6 (7-2)

Kianna Wicklund, Bigfork, def. Jane Makepeace 7-6 (7-3), 6-3

Ariel Stallknecht, Bigfork, def. Mackenzie Trudeau 6-4, 6-3

Mackenna Gembala, Bigfork, def. Morgan Andres 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-10

Doubles

Ashley Courville/Sydney Allard, Mission, winner by default

Katie Hogge/Cierra Dougherty, Mission, winner by

default.

Mission 4, Troy 2

Singles

Sarah Bowers, Mission, def. Jackie Pepiot, 7-6 (8-6), 5-7, 6-2

Jane Makepeace, Mission, def. Holli Higgins, 6-4, 6-3 Mackenzie Trudeau, Mission, def. Sara Helmrick, 6-0, 6-3 Daniela Raith, Mission, def. Alissa Pepiot, 6-2, 5-7, 6-1.

Doubles

Tara Duzan/Allison Hight, Troy, def. Sydney Allard/Robyn Mitchell 6-0, 6-2

Kellie Lundin/Katie Lundin, Troy, def. Katie Hogge/Cierra Dougherty, 6-0, 6-2.