Aiming higher Polson's Lundeen looks to end her prep career as a state champion

Kyler Lundeen was right there.

She was oh so close to playing for a Class A state tennis championship in doubles last spring on the courts at Flathead Valley Community College.

Lundeen and her Polson partner Olivia Hewston lost a heartbreaker in the semifinals to Hailey Keller and Molly Putnam of Billings Central 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (8-6).

A 6-4, 6-3 loss to Katrielle Carney and Abby Hill of Glendive followed. Lundeen and Hewston then rebounded to beat Paige Sproul and Cailyn Ross of Whitefish in the fifth-place match, 6-0, 6-4.

“Super close,” Lundeen, now a senior, said of that semifinal setback.

“It was head-to-head, game-on- game-on with them. We lost in a tie-breaker. We had a hard time getting over that (loss).”

Flirting with a chance to be a state champion a year ago has been a big motivating factor for Lundeen this season.

“My goal is to be undefeated and take divisionals again and hopefully state,” she said.

“I really do (think) we have a great shot this year.

“Last year I knew we could have easily taken second, or first,” she added.

“This year, I’m hoping with my doubles partner we can push through and take state.”

Lundeen and her new partner Qia Harlan, a freshman, are off to a good start. They have won both their outings.

Lundeen is also 1-0 in singles play.

“Singles is a lot more of a mental game,” she said.

“Being in doubles is easier. You have someone to rely on … to help you through tough times.”

She did enjoy her singles win, however.

“I’ll try it a couple more times, she said.

“It was fun. Like I said, it’s a hard mental game, but once you get through that, it becomes fun, easier to play.”

The other reason she sticks with doubles is it gives her her best chance for more success.

“She’s quiet, she’s warming up to me,” Lundeen said of Harlan.

“We’re becoming friends.

“She’s a lefty, which is a good advantage for us. She’s good at staying aggressive and has good ground strokes.”

What does Lundeen bring to the court?

“Volleying and slicing,” she said.

“Serving … my strength is consistency.”

The 5-foot-4 Lundeen was an all-conference libero for the Pirates volleyball team last fall. She also played basketball her freshman and sophomore seasons. She never made it to state in those two sports.

“Leadership and positivity,” she said of her other tennis virtues.

“I have a good attitude, helping anyone who needs it or give advice.”

Lundeen said she’s worked on improving her forehand during the winter to improve her state championship chances.

“I’ve been trying to get it down, fix it,” she said.

Lundeen has been to state the previous three years. She was an alternate her freshman season and advanced in doubles play as a sophomore.

“The reason I started playing tennis was coach (Bob) Hislop,” she said.

“He’s a great teacher and a great coach. Not only does he try to improve my tennis skills, but he wants to make me a better person.”

Lundeen did not swing a racquet until her freshman season, but has progressed rapidly since then.

“It was more about learning, just getting better at it,” she said.

“There have been a couple rough patches, but I’ve always loved it.

“I like playing, the competiion,” she added.

“I’m really competitive. I don’t like losing, but I don’t pout about it.”

She said being a divisional champion last year “was special.” Ending her prep career as a state champion would be super special for any senior.