Panthers make debut on Montana tennis courts

Alberton’s emergence as a Montana high school varsity sports player is taking another step forward this year with the inaugural Panthers tennis team.

Heading up the tennis program, one of only two in the Mineral/Sanders Counties area (along with Superior), is coach Jake Sedahl. 

“We don’t have any returning players this year because we are in our first year of Alberton High School girls’ tennis,” he noted. 

But that doesn't prevent Sedahl and his team from getting to work in preseason practices. 

“I am really hoping we are an aggressive team that plays with confidence and puts points away early to avoid long rallies,” Sedahl said.  

And along the way, the coach added, having fun will be a key element. 

“I hope the girls have lots of fun and get fundamentally better throughout the season”. 

As for the competition he will face, Sedahl said he is not sure what the Lady Panthers will face this season. 

“I am not sure who the top teams are,” he said. “But I am excited for the upcoming competition and I’m sure there are lots of good teams in our area”. 

Superior and MAC (Mission, Arlee, Charlo) fill that bill. 

So, onward and upward for the Panthers. 

“My goals for the season are that we get better each and every week and we have lots of fun doing it,” he said. “I hope our team has confidence and goes into every match believing they have a chance to succeed”. 

Alberton’s first scheduled match, April 4 in Superior, was cancelled, leaving their season opener the April 18 in Superior.  The Panthers have no home matches this initial season.