Tennis teams cruise to victory in Libby

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The Whitefish boys and girls tennis teams swept Libby on Saturday, on the road to keeping their undefeated conference streak alive from last season. It was the season-opener for the Bulldogs, and they played like there was very little rust to shake off.

The boys took care of the Loggers easily, 7-0. The girls' side was a bit tighter, 5-2.

In the No. 2 singles match, Whitefish's Kate Klundt fought off Veronika Cislo 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-5.

McCara Cullen had her hands full with Libby's Audra Popped, but eventually the Lady Bulldog came back to win. 5-7, 7-5, 7-5.

Brielle Menegazzi took care of Libby's Jackie Mee 6-0, 6-1. The two girls have spent a lot of time looking across a net at each other, as both are also varsity volleyball stars.

"The girls fought really hard and pulled it out in the end," head coach Kathy Cummings said. "There were some hard-earned wins. I felt pretty good about the way they played."

Whitefish's Courtney and Anne Miller fought a nail-biter with Libby's Katie Horelick and Cassi Moog in the No. 3 doubles match.

Cummings said the No. 3 doubles match on the boys side was an exciting one to watch as well.

"Zach Tkachyk and Lucas Peace had a back-and-forth match. There was a lot of tie-breakers on both sides," she said.

In the end, Peace and Tkachyk prevailed 6-7, (5-7), 6-2, 6-0.

The Bulldogs take on Columbia Falls at home this Friday at Smith Fields in the afternoon. All matches will be contingent on cooperation with Mother Nature.

Girls

Singles — Brielle Menegazzi, W, def. Jackie Mee, 6-0, 6-1; Kate Klundt, W, def. Veronika Cislo, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 7-5; McCara Cullen, W, def. Audra Poppen, 5-7, 7-5, 7-5; Ellie Opal, W, def. Lindsey Kehn, 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles — Riley Dinning/Nichole Newman, L, def. Becca Rozak/Hannah Weaver, 6-2, 6-0; Margeaux Zwang/Anna Valentine, L, def. Chelsi Bergensita/

Steffi Osland, 6-3, 6-0; Anne Miller/Courtney Wilder, W, def. Katie Horelick/Cassi Moog, 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 7-6 (7-4).

Boys

Singles — Matt Harris, W, def. Steven Hauck, 6-0, 6-0; Renzo Caimi, W, def. Hunter Sheffield, 6-0, 6-0; Matt Whitehead, W, def. Cyrus Maloney, 6-4, 7-5; Tanner Hosek, W, def. Cody Ercanbrack, 2-6, 6-4, 6-0.

Doubles — Ryan Rottenbiller/Troy Laagrandeur, W, def. Cree Maloney/Nate Broden, 6-0, 6-0; Kyle Jacobson/Brandan Viscomi, W, def. Lewis Brossman/Levi-Edwards-Myslicki, 6-0, 6-0; Lucas Peace/Zach Tkachyk, W, def. Jesse Ramos/Joe Framont, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-0.