Boys tennis splits road trip

Even with a depleted roster due to band and DECA trips, Whitefish’s boys tennis team emerged from a trip to the Bitterroot with solid results against top-notch programs.

The Bulldogs split the road trip, topping Hamilton 5-2, then falling to the defending state champions of Corvallis 5-2. The dual win over Hamilton was the second consecutive for Whitefish.

Coach Chris Schwaderer was impressed with the fight put up by the eight-man roster in both duals.

“We gave the defending champs a good battle,” Schwaderer said. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing how this team improves and a lot of younger guys are starting to look really good.”

He points to underclassmen like Chaffin Ross, Ryan Brown and Nathan Fouth.

“I’m impressed with how they’ve developed and they’ve worked really hard for it,” Schwaderer said.

Juniors Hayden Eaton and Nevada Kramer have both stepped up, as well.

“Nevada has come out of nowhere to be a force at singles,” Schwaderer said. “Hayden came into the program with basic skills. It’s been fun to watch him grow and improve. He has a good stroke and just wins.”

Whitefish hosts Polson on Thursday then takes on Bigfork on Saturday.

Whitefish 5, Hamilton 2

At Corvallis

Singles – Reese Isherwood, H, def. Holden Roberts, 6-1, 6-0; Logan Blades, W, def. Kendall McDonald, 6-1, 6-2; Nevada Kramer, W, def. John Walker, 6-4, 6-3; Noah Roalson, W, def. Jeremy Hankel, 6-4, 6-1.

Doubles – Marcus Wuensche/Trevor Richards, H, def. Logan Blades/Holden Roberts, 6-1, 6-0; Hayden Eaton/Chaffin Ross, W, def. Alton MacLean/Mason Tredik, 6-2, 6-3; Bailey Jack/Martin Petrina, W, def. Spencer Tredik/Matt McDonald, 6-0, 6-0.

Corvallis 5, Whitefish 2

At Corvallis

Singles – Sh. Jessop, C, def. Holden Roberts, 6-4, 6-3; Logan Blades, W, def. Venema, 6-2, 7-5; Nevada Kramer, W, def. Je. Jessop, 6-3, 7-5; Kameron Wolff, C, def. Hayden Eaton, 7-5, 6-4.

Doubles – Walzynski/Pekoc, C, def. Roberts/Blades, 6-1, 6-0; Venema/Fehr, C, def. Noah Rualson/Bailey Jack, 7-5, 6-3; Jesse Knapp/Paul Allsop, C, def. Chaffin Ross/Martin Petrina, 6-3, 6-4.