By Tiffany L. Rehbein
The forecast at Cut Bank changed from scattered snow showers to windy on Saturday.
That should come as no surprise, after all, it is Cut Bank.
But the Havre Blue Pony tennis team will need to contend, as they open the first weekend of competition at the Cut Bank Invitational.
"Hopefully, we can get on the courts, but the weather forecast is not looking good," Dierman said.
The Ponies will dual Cut Bank, Conrad, and Lewistown.
However, due to ACT's, music festival, and volleyball tournaments, the Pony tennis team will be slightly short-handed this weekend.
"We should get a good look at other teams, but it's not a true representation of who is going to play where for us," head coach Sam Dierman said.
No. 1 singles' player Teri Sherrill will get the go this weekend.
Crystal Heggen will be the No. 2 singles' player, Lauren Malone No. 3, and Nichole Borst No. 4.
Senior Jana McPherson, junior Breyon Briese, sophomore Laura Hedstrom, and freshmen Samantha Shrauger and Jen Gorder will also travel to Cut Bank.
"The girls are looking really good," Dierman said. "They are pretty easy to coach because I have been with them for so many years."
With two freshmen on the varsity squad, Dierman will have the opportunity to try some different looks in the doubles competition.
"I'll mix some kids around," he said. "Some girls will be playing doubles who haven't ever played before."
McPherson and Briese will be the Ponies' No. 1 doubles' team.
Kellen Malone, Nick Heninger, Levi LaPrath and Tyler Croft should highlight the boys' singles.
Terence Wells, returning state competitors Mike Frey and Seth Maristuen, Andrew McLain, and freshmen Tyler Vincent, Cody McLain, and Jeremy Heninger will also get the call.
"I am really pleased with the freshmen kids who have moved up," Dierman said. "This weekend will just help them more and more."
LaPrath and Croft look strong in doubles in the early season, and will be the No. 1 duo.
"I think we will experiment with doubles this weekend," Dierman said.
