BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Despite the fact the North Kitsap girls’ golf team played what each of the team’s top players would call an “off-day” against Shelton earlier this week, in actuality, the match should bolster the squad’s confidence.

Even with players Miquela Pendleton, Alicia Bratlien and Ella Sanman’s scores dipping into the high 20s from their usual 30 point performances at the Meadowmeer course on Bainbridge, the Vikings still beat the Highclimbers, who are the second best squad in the Narrows’ League Bridge Division.

“I think we played about as poorly today as we have all season,” said NK coach Jay DeVries. “But it just shows how high their skill level is, that they can still beat the second best team in the Bridge.”

The first year coach knows well that not every day on the course is going to go as planned but he said he hopes that as the post-season approaches, each of his players will be prepared to make the best of each round.

For now, the squad is savoring the taste of another Bridge Division title. The girls have two more matches to play before the Narrows League tournament gets underway May 18: at non league Bainbridge May 9 and at Central Kitsap May 10.

As they get ready for individual tournament play, players are focusing on individual aspects of their game. Pendleton said she’s felt steady this year, getting routinely 30 points or more a match as well as much improved from last year. But she’s had trouble with putting, and thus is honing in on the small stuff of golf.

“I lose so many points to putting,” she said. “But I feel like I’m on the brink of putting everything together.”

Putting has also been difficult for Sanman, who said that though her chipping has improved, it is what’s on the green that has been frustrating. She did, however, cap the Shelton round with an 8-foot putt while teammate Val Palsdottir hit a 15-footer to help give North a more secure lead versus the Highclimbers.

To Sanman, it’s a matter of bringing the Viking game together when it counts.

“I think we’ve all played decently across the board but we haven’t played our best together,” she said of the team. “Hopefully, we can make it to state and put good rounds together.”

The mental part of the game is also the challenge, especially as the pressure of the post-season approaches. Bratlien mentioned one aspect in particular she’s working hard to improve upon.

“One of my biggest things is if I have a bad hole, I let it get to me,” she said. “If I can get that under control, I can pick right back up after a bad hole.”

Palsdottir, whom DeVries said provided the difference in the match against Shelton, said she’s not weighing her game against the top three players, opting instead to improve little by little by testing what she can do.

“They’re so good,” she said of Pendleton, Bratlien and Sanman, “I’m pretty much trying to beat myself.”

In any case, each of the Vikings agreed they’re well prepared for each match. The results speak for themselves, Pendleton said.

“We’re a lot more organized this year and I’m really happy with (DeVries) as coach,” she commented. “And we’re scoring more points than we ever have.”

At Meadowmeer, played May 3

North Kitsap 106, Shelton 97

NK — Miquela Pendelton 44 (28). Alicia Bratlien x (23). Ella Sanman 43 (29). Val Palsdottir x (18). Brittany Fluharty-Quinn 10.

At Meadowmeer, played May 4

North Kitsap 114, Port Angeles 91

NK — Miquela Pendleton 38 (34). Alicia Bratlien 39 (33). Ella Sanman (44) 28. Val Palsdottir x (9). Leah Seim-Brown x (10).