Tennis full to the brim with nowhere to play

The Columbia Falls tennis team has great numbers this year. But like all sports right now, it needs to stop snowing so players can get some court time in.

Head coach Michele Colliander said she has 16 girls and 24 boys on the roster, but they’ve only been able to practice at the Summit a few hours each week as the outdoor courts have been covered with snow up until a few days ago.

Colliander is excited about the boys playing the sport.

“Every year I’ve been getting more boys,” she said.

Colliander is hoping for good things from the boys side, especially from returning player and senior Dale Blickhan, as well as sophomores Jax Ramage, Will Pickard and junior Logan Heupel.

On the girls side, Cloey Ramage returns for her senior season. She qualified for state last year, but had a tough time after rolling her ankle in the tournament.

“Her game is better than ever,” this year, Colliander said.

This is Colliander’s eighth year coaching and her third year as head coach.

She said the goal is to get at least four players qualified for state and six would be fantastic.

Colliander noted that tennis is a “lifetime sport” so just being on the team and competing pays dividends well beyond high school.

The team will practice through spring break, she said. They open the season with a match against Libby on the road. April 6 they host Whitefish girls, while the boys are on the road.

Colliander is assisted by her brother, Cody Ramage and Neils and Emily Getts.