Bulldogs shaking the rust off their rackets

The Whitefish boys had a long day of tennis on Saturday, but they managed to beat both Bigfork and Ronan by the same score, 6-1, under sunny skies.

The Bulldogs move to 3-1 overall.

Matt Harris, who moved into the No. 1 singles position on the team this year after the departure of Chilean phenom Renzo Caimi last year, is looking comfortable in his new role. He defeated Bigfork's Scott Taylor in a classic battle 6-3, 6-4.

Whitefish head coach Kathy Cummings said she was impressed with Tanner Hosek's performance against Bridger Mahlum in the No. 2 singles spot.

"Tanner and Bridger had an awesome match," she said. "Lots of long-ball rallies. Tanner played very well."

Cummings said that because her team has only had four full days of practice on their outdoor tennis courts, the rust is going to take a little time to get shaken off.

"I thought they looked good, but I can tell you because of the snow on the courts that the kids looked a little rusty," she said. "I think we just need some practice time."

The Lady Bulldogs lost to Bigfork 3-4 after defeating Ronan 4-3.

Kate Klundt had a big win against Bigfork's Jade Bosic, tying her 8-8 in the first set and winning 10-7 in the second. McCara Cullen and Anne Miller won their doubles match 8-6, as did Hanna Weaver and Chelsi Birgensmith.

Meredith Reed had the only singles win against the Ronan girls, while the Whitefish doubles teams swept the Maidens.

The tennis team travels to Bigfork on May 1.

Boys

Whitefish 6, Bigfork 1

SINGLES - Matt Harris, W, def. Scott Taylor, 6-3, 6-4; Tanner Hosek, W, def. Bridger Mahlum, 6-3, 6-3; Sean Barrett, B, def. Chase Pierce, 6-4, 6-2; Lucas Peace, W, def. Nate Robertson, 6-1, 6-0.

DOUBLES - Matt Whitehead/Zach Deister, W, def. Evan Jordt/Ryan Gembala, 6-1, 7-5; Jake Morrison/Travis Adams, W, def. Colter Mahlum/Cole Fransisco, 6-0, 6-4; Austin Sattler/Tyler Schiff, W, def. Dylan Richenbach/John Lyon, 6-2, 6-6 (10-8).

Whitefish 6, Ronan 1

SINGLES - Tanner Hosek, W, def. Sage Burland, 6-0, 6-1; Matt Whitehead, W, def. Austin Butler, 6-2, 6-0; Chase Pierce, W, def. Colten Cheff, 6-0, 6-3; Joel Mallams, W, def. Hunter Shima, 6-1, 6-2.

DOUBLES - Jake Morrison/Travis Adams, W, def. Sage Burland/Jeff Blixt-Leo, 6-1, 6-3; Austin Sattler/Casey Beiser, W, def. Chase Allen/Kyle Yankee, 6-4, 7-5; Riley Cordis/Matteo Ruic, R, def. Kolter Larson/Nick Jack, 6-2, 6-2.

Girls

Whitefish 3, Bigfork 4

SINGLES - Kate Klundt, W, def. Jade Bosic, 8-8 (10-7); Kelly Daton, B, def. Meredith Reed, 8-0; Elyse Meyers, B, def. Courtney Wilder, 8-0, Bigfork won by forfeit.

DOUBLES - McCara Cullen / Anne Miller W, def. Hannah Barrett/Nicollette Peterson, 8-6; Hanna Weaver/Chelsi Birgensmith, W, def. Claire Wilkins/Ariel Stalhkneoth, 8-4; Makenzie Shults/Kianna Wicklund, B, def. Alexa Holliday/Bailey Chauner, 8-6.

Whitefish 4, Ronan 3

SINGLES - Brit Courville, R, def. Kate Klundt, 6-4, 6-2; Meredith Reed, W, def. Shelby Fisher, 6-2, 6-2; Darian Blixt-Leo, R, def. Devan Skelton, 6-4, 0-6, 6-3; Katelyn Matkovich, R, def. Simona Eicher, 8-2.

DOUBLES - McCara Cullen/Chelsi Birgensmith, W, def. Shelby Fisher/Darian Blixt-Leo, 6-0, 6-0; Hanna Weaver/Courtney Wilder, W, def. Katelyn Matkovich/Breann Frank, 6-0, 6-2; Alexa Holliday/Bailey Chauner, W, def. Sophie Mooniche/Hayley Walsotn, 6-2, 6-3.