Bulldogs sweep Bigfork on the courts

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

It wasn't as easy as the final score makes it look, but the Bulldogs boys dispatched the Bigfork Vikings tennis team 7-0 on Thursday afternoon. The Whitefish girls fought to a 4-3 victory to keep their conference win streak alive.

In the No. 1 singles action, Whitefish foreign exchange student Renzo Caimi took down Bigfork senior Philipe Meyers 6-2, 6-0. Meyers took a lead in the first set, but Caimi was patient and controlled as he battled back for a win. Caimi managed to get Meyers out of his rhythm, and the Viking was just unable to control his returns against the Chilean phenom.

In the No. 2 singles match, Matt Harris won in straight sets 6-1, 6-1 over Vikings sophomore Bridger Mahlum. Harris placed second at state last year, and he is off to another great start this year.

In the No. 3 and 4 singles matches, Lucas Peace and Tanner Hosek earned straight singles victories. In the No. 1 doubles match, Kyle Jacobson and Ryan Rottenbiller battled back to a hard-fought win over Tyler Butts and Scott Tayler 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (2).

Ian Hosek and Brendan Viscomi rallied to a three-set victory at the No. 2 doubles spot. Zach Deister and Matt Whitehead won at No. 3.

On the girls side, Brielle Menegazzi had her hands full with Kelly Deaton in the No 1. singles match. She finally prevailed 6-3, 6-2. Almira Sekerci and Ellie Opel both won their matches, but Bigfork's Jade Bosic downed Anne Miller 6-1, 6-2 at No. 2.

The Bulldogs improved to 4-0 on the season with Thursday's win. They take on Columbia Falls on Thursday, April 24 (tonight).

Boys

Whitefish 7, Bigfork 0

SINGLES — Renzo Caimi, WF, def. Philipe Meyers, 6-2, 6-0; Matt Harris, WF, def. Bridger Mahlum, 6-1, 6-1; Lucas Peace, WF, def. Seth Gordon, 6-3, 6-2; Tanner Hosek, WF, def. Cole Francisco, 6-1, 6-4.

DOUBLES — Kyle Jacobson/Ryan Rottenbiller, WF, def. Tyler Butts/Scott Taylor; Ian Hosek/Brendan Viscomi, WF, def. Jordan Sabo/Sean Barret; Matt Whitehead/Zachariah Deister, WF, def. Evan Jordt/Ryan Gembala.

Girls

Whitefish 4, Bigfork 3

SINGLES — Brielle Menegazzi, WF, def. Kelly Deaton, 6-3, 6-2; Jade Bosic, BF, def. Anne Miller, 6-2, 6-1; Almi Sekerci, WF, def. Ariana Shults, 5-7, 7-5, 6-3; Ellie Opel, WF, def. Lisa Kelecy, 6-2, 6-3.

DOUBLES — Quindee Averill/Roxy Thurman, BF, def. Kate Klundt/McCara Cullen, 6-6(7-5), 6-3; Nicolette Peterson/Jennifer Wirth, BF, def. Steffi Osland/Becca Rozar, 6-2, 6-4; Chelsi Birgersmith/Hannah Weaver, WF, def. Hanna Barrett/Cassie Lepper, 6-3, 6-4.