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Ellis, Kenyon headed to state

by Matt Baldwin / Whitefish Pilot
| May 25, 2011 10:25 AM

Whitefish’s top doubles team earned a

trip to the state Class A tennis tournament after battling through

a tough field last week at the divisional meet in Libby.

Connor Ellis and Camp Kenyon defeated

Polson’s Brady Hislop and Ian Laimbeer in the consolation match to

claim third place overall.

“They had a really good tournament,”

Whitefish coach Chris Schwaderer said.

Kenyon played at No. 2 singles most of

the season, but was teamed up with Ellis just prior to the

divisional tourney as Schwaderer looked to maximize the Bulldogs

chances to score points. The pairing, he says, is working out

nicely.

Kenyon brings a pure style to the court

with his fluid ground strokes, while Ellis is more of the

quarterback that dominates the net with scrappy play.

“They have good chemistry on the

court,” Schwaderer said. “I think they’re internalizing the doubles

philosophy.”

The duo travels to Great Falls this

week to play in the state Class A tournament. Schwaderer says if

they play to their potential, they have a chance to make some

noise.

As a team, Whitefish wrapped up

divisional in fourth place overall. Schwaderer commended Austin

Sattler’s and Casey Beiser’s play at doubles. The pair made it to

the play-in match for the consolation game, but fell to Whitefish’s

Kenyon and Ellis.

“It’s a shame they had to battle with

Whitefish’s No. 1 team to get into the consolation game,”

Schwaderer said. “They could have easily been one of the top-4

teams.”

On the singles side, Jake Morison

played some of his best tennis of the year in the early rounds,

Schwaderer said. Freshman Logan Blades ended up 2-2 overall and

gave divisional champ Cree Maloney all he could handle.

“At one point he had the lead,”

Schwaderer said. “He had no fear. He knew he was outmanned, but he

didn’t fold at all.”

Schwaderer said he was impressed with

how the entire team’s game evolved from March.

“It’s amazing to see what two months

can do,” he said. “It’s a great group that is fun to work

with.”