It’s a long drive to Billings, but one that the Whitefish Bulldogs hope to be rewarding at the State A tennis tournament.

The Bulldogs send nine athletes — five girls and four boys — to the tournament after dominating the Northwest A divisional last weekend. 

The girls bring a variety of experience with one senior, one junior, one sophomore and two freshmen taking the courts at state. 

“The three older kids have all been to state before and they know what it’s all about,” Patrick Dryden said. “The two freshmen are scrappers and they are going to show up and slug it out.” 

Dryden hopes the Bulldogs can bring home the team title, but knows the competition is stiff. 

“Hamilton appears to have the best players in Class A; if they go 1 and 2 that’s 19 points,” Dryden said. “Then Miles City has six players and five of them are seniors with a lot of experience.” 

Camry Kelch and Maggie Mercer come in as the top ranked doubles pairing and dropped just four games at divisionals last week. 

Liesl Brust also comes in as a No. 1 seed in singles. She won a match at state a year ago as a freshman. 

The boys have settled in nicely, even getting a final practice in on the road Wednesday.  

“Just polishing our bottom-line skills and movement and not overdoing it,” coach Doris Puglisi said. “You want them to use it at the tournament and not burn out before.” 

Leading the way for the boys is No. 2-seeded singles player Jack Oehlerich. Joining Oehlerich is Owen Erickson in singles and Walt Seigmund and Aaron Anderson, who earned the top seed in doubles. 

Moving over to Columbia Falls, Michelle Colliander is proud of what her team has already accomplished: Three doubles teams advanced. 

“This has been one of my favorite teams to coach and I am really proud of them,” Colliander said. It’s a huge accomplishment to get three doubles teams to state.” 

Colliander says she isn’t looking at any seeding and that everyone who made it to state has the same chance. 

“I feel like it is anyone’s game,” Colliander said. “I know that my teams can play better than they have in the past and I hope that they can pull it off and have an amazing tournament.” 

In boys singles, everyone is chasing Libby’s Ryan Beagle. The defending state champion is back as the top seed in Northwest A and according to coach Kyle Hannah is playing the best tennis of his high school career. 

“Ryan is feeling really good,” Hannah said. “The most confident he has played in his four years. He knew that he would have a target on his back each match he played, and he has handled it with class and confidence.” 

The four-time divisional champion hasn’t dropped a set all season and is coming off a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Oehlerich in the divisional final in what Hannah called a “statement match.” 

Bigfork sends the girls pairing of Taylor Howlett and Raegen Waller.

Polson sends a deep field also, with Ruger Ellis — brother of last years singles runner-up Torin Ellis — earning a spot. Joining Ellis is the doubles team of Teague McElwee and Branson Moss as well as Summer Newman and the pairing of Hinkley Moss and Greta Lund on the girls side.