Whitefish netters top Polson twice
WHITEFISH — Gracie Smyley pulled out an impressive win at No. 1 singles and the Whitefish girls dominated overall for a 6-1 Northwestern A dual girls tennis victory over Polson.
Smyley defeated the Class A defending state champion Shea McGuinness 6-1, 6-0.
“Tennis is so misleading,” Whitefish coach Patrick Dryden said of the singles scores.
“They had some incredible rallies, it went back and forth. (Smyley) finally wore her down.
“It was as good of Montana girls tennis as you would want to see,” he added.
“A good match.”
Polson’s win was at No. 1 doubles with Berkley Ellis/Qia Harlan besting Aubrey Hanks/Olivia Potthoff 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-4.
No. 2 doubles was also a three-setter with Whitefish’s Payton Kastella/Jesse Grawunder topping Polson’s Ara Mercer/Megan Rost, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.
“One-two doubles were high quality matches,” Dryden said.
“They could have gone either way.”
Whitefish (13-3 overall, 8-0 league) entertains Southwestern A foes Hamilton and Corvallis today starting at 11 a.m. on the courts at Flathead Valley Community College.
Western A Divisional play begins Thursday at Flathead Valley Community College.
SINGLES — Gracie Smyley, W, def. Shea McGuinness, 6-1, 6-0; Claire Carloss, W, def. Sarah Kinzle, 6-1, 6-2; Lauren Brown, W, def. Taylor Bloomfield, 6-4, 7-5; Anyah Cripe, W, def. Taylor Collings, 6-4, 6-3.
DOUBLES — Berkley Ellis/Qia Harlan, P, def. Aubrey Hanks/Olivia Potthoff, 6-7 (6), 6-1, 6-4; Payton Kastella/Jesse Grawunder, W, def. Ara Mercer/Megan Rost, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; Abigail Shaffer/Ali Hirsch, W, def. Sierra Lundeen/Ajah Englebreht, 6-0, 6-1.
Boys
Whitefish 5, Polson 2
WHITEFISH — Whitefish won three singles matches and twice in doubles to notch the Northwestern A dual win over Polson.
Whitefish improves to 13-3 overall on the season, 8-0 league.
Only one match went three sets with Jackson Carson/Pierce Janssen of Whitefish beating Michael Smith/Tai Schriver 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (2) at No. 3 doubles.
“It was a nice way to close out the conference season,” Whitefish coach Chris Schwaderer said.
“Both teams have improved significantly since our first meeting back in April. Polson is always a tough team, so we were happy to get out with a solid win.
“At doubles, Mark Anderson and Colter Upton impressed me with a comeback win in the second set,” he continued.
“It’s always nice to see your players rally back when they get in a rut. I like how they have struggled a few times this season but still managed to pull out a win.
“Brendan Buls, Jayce Cripe and Carver Gilman all looked strong at singles. With the divisional tournament starting next week, I’m confident that everyone is ready to go. I love this time of year.”
Whitefish entertains Southwestern A foes Hamilton and Corvallis today starting at 11 a.m. on the courts at Flathead Valley Community College.
Western A Divisional play begins Thursday at Flathead Valley Community College.
SINGLES — Whitefish Brendan Buls, W, def. Joe McDonald, 6-1. 6-1; Jayce Cripe, W, def. Colby Devlin, 6-2, 6-1; Carver Gilman, W, def. Makauly Morrison, 6-3, 6-3; Matt Hobbs, P, def. Highland Lee-French, 6-2, 6-1
DOUBLES — Mark Anderson/Colter Upton, W, def. Anton Lefthand/Trevor Schultz, 6-2, 7-5; Kendall Forman-Webster/Bridger Wenzel, P, def. Joe Brandt/Aaron Dicks, 6-3, 7-6 (4); Jackson Carson/Pierce Janssen, W, def. Michael Smith/Tai Schriver, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (2)