Game. Set. Match.
State champions.
The FHS boys tennis team claimed the 1995 and 1996 state titles and has three members of the 1996 state champion team returning this spring. Senior Jason Santa and sophomores Ryan Daley and Brett Winegar now have their eyes on another championship, but with the loss of Daley's state champion doubles partner, 1996 graduate Beau Iwersen, the team knows the battle for the state title will be an uphill race.
"Last year we made shirts at the beginning of the season that said we were the state champs," said Santa. "But this year we can't be as confident because we've lost Beau Iwersen."
"I don't think we have as strong of team as last year, but we have lots of potential with the younger players," said senior Ryan Skybak.
Two of those younger players include Winegar and junior Paul Wilson.
"It's not going to be as easy as it was last year," said Daley. "We're going to have to count on Paul and Brett."
After placing fourth in divisionals and going to state as a freshman last year, Winegar explained that the level of competition will be much different.
"Before last year it was always just tourneys by myself," said Winegar. "It's more of a team sport because I've learned more about strategy from my team."
With such outstanding players on the team, rivalry for the state title comes not only from other schools, but from within the team as well, as players vie for the higher seeding going into tournaments.
"I'm going to be competing with Jason all year," said Daley. "That should make us both better."
Daley's playing is "extremely hot and cold," said Santa. "At times he can look like (tennis pro Pete) Sampras, but at other times he isn't consistent."
Flathead also contends with the fact that they are in the hardest division in AA tennis.
"Last year we struggled at divisionals," said Wilson. "There are players in the western division that could easily make it to state in any other division. It's almost like a mini-state tournament."
Goals for the individual members of the team vary from those just hoping to attend the state meet to those with their eyes on a state title.
"My hope for the season is to improve so I can make it to state," said Skybak. "For the past two years I've made it to divisionals and fallen barely short."
"I didn't do well at state (last year), but I did well overall," said Winegar. "(Sophomore) Nathan Mink from Great Falls is someone I'd like to beat because I didn't beat him in divisionals."
Santa sets high goals for his season as well: "I want to go undefeated for the season," he said. "And repeat as the state champion."