MISSOULA — Mission High School boys, girls tennis coach Kimimi Ashley inherited a team that had limited experience and court time at the start of the season for both teams.

Ashley said her Lady Bulldogs, Bulldogs’ lack of experience was something they “overcame” to have several individuals excel at the Class B-C state tennis finals Friday and Saturday at Fairplay Park.

“All of my players grew and we knew that spring is the shortest season,” Ashley said. “It’s sad because you don’t just want to stop now because all of our players are learning and getting better. We have a really close group overall and they are all friends. Tennis was fun for them too because they all got along, were one big happy group, and considered themselves friends.”

One of the Lady Bulldogs’ top players, Elsa Kylen, came within one victory of playing in the championship game. Kylen, who lost two consecutive matches including one to the eventual champion Ellen Widell, really improved her game throughout the tournament, according to Ashley. Kylen ended up finishing sixth in the double-elimination format.

Kylen became the first Lady Bulldog to place at state in nine years, according to Ashley.

“Elsa used a lot of energy and defeated the girl that was in the championship last year,” Ashley said.

Kylen, a foreign exchange student from Sweden, had taken tennis lessons for nine years and worked one hour a week with her instructor, but had never actually had a competitive match until this year, according to Ashley.

“Elsa took a lesson and did lots of drills but never competed,” Ashley said. “It is totally different getting lessons and going out there and trying to beat someone.”

Ashley said Kylen “struggled” with the competitive aspect of competing at state.

“Being competitive was the really hard part and she played so tough against those two players,” Ashley said. When she played two more matches, she was just super tired. She didn’t really enjoy the competitive aspect of state and that was really hard for her to get into that mindset.”

Bulldogs’ doubles tandem shines at state

The Mission Bulldogs’ doubles team of Warren Castor and Tine Toemkoa played together for only a combined three weeks and finished the season with a 10-3 record, with two of those losses coming at state.

“We were worried that Tine, being in his first year, would be overwhelmed with being at state but he went out and competed,” Ashley said.

Ashley also said she felt Beau Peterson performed well in the singles matches.

“He went out on the court and kept his composure,” Ashley said. “Hopefully, he will be back next year.”

Ashley said she is “optimistic” that most of her team, comprised mostly of foreign exchange students, will continue to play tennis as they move on. Ashley said most of her players that excelled in tennis this season will not return next year.

“I even had one comment from one of foreign exchange students that she will continue to play tennis after she goes back to Norway,” Ashley said. “That is the great thing is that many of the tennis players will take what they learn this year and continue to play tennis.”