Bulldog netters slip at Bigfork
The Bulldogs No. 1 doubles team, Joel Mallams and Jake Morison, grinded out a 6-2, 4-6, 7-6 win over Ryan Gembala and Evan Jordt at Bigfork on Saturday to seal their first win of the season.
After easily taking the opening set, coach Chris Schwaderer said the duo lost a bit of momentum in the second set before going into a tie-breaker in the third.
"Then they just dominated," Schwaderer said. "It was good to see them regain their intensity and rally at the end."
Despite the impressive win, Whitefish dropped the dual with Bigfork 4-3.
"Bigfork is a skilled team," Schwaderer said. "It could have easily gone either way."
In the No. 1 singles match, Whitefish's Jacob Washer played Bridger Mahlum tough, but fell 6-2, 6-4.
"It was a great match," Schwaderer said. "Mahlum is really skilled, but Washer gave him a work out and made him earn the victory. It would have been easy for Washer to fold, but he didn't."
Schwaderer also commended the No. 3 doubles team of Joel Bacher and Connor Ellis for coming away with a 6-3, 6-2 win in their first match of the year.
"I'm really happy they pulled that off," he said. "They did exactly what they had to do and exceeded expectations."
No. 3 singles player Austin Sattler provided the Bulldog's third win with a dominating 6-1, 6-2 victory over Nate Roberson.
Schwaderer said he was impressed with the team's overall performance, but that he'd like to see more aggressiveness at the net.
"Especially with the doubles, because that's where the game is played," he said. "We'll work on polishing up the volleys."
Bigfork 4, Whitefish 3
Singles - Bridger Mahlum, B, def. Jacob Washer, 6-2, 6-3; Colter Mahlum, B, def. Tyler Schiff, 6-4, 7-6; John Lyon, B, def. Francisco Valle, 2-6, 6-0, 6-2; Austin Sattler, W, def. Nate Roberson, 6-1, 6-2.
Doubles - Joel Mallams/Jake Morison, W, def. Ryan Gembala/Evan Jordt, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6; Nate Roberson/Dylan Riechenbach, B, def. Nick Jack/Casey Beiser 7-6, 6-1; Joel Bacher/Connor Ellis, W, def. Shane Parks/Seth Roessman, 6-3, 6-2.