Whitefish girls stunned by Dillon, boys move to 8-0

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The Whitefish tennis squad maintained its stellar play during a two-day stint in Polson over the weekend, although the girls tasted their first loss of the year.

On Friday, the boys continued their undefeated season with 7-0 victories over both Polson and St. Ignatius.

The girls scraped by Polson 4-3, but took their first loss of the season with a tough 3-4 deafeat at the hands of Dillon.

It was a little bit of revenge for the Dillon girls, who suffered a heart-breaking one-point loss to Whitefish in the state Class A basketball playoffs a month ago.

On the courts on Friday, Dillon's Lady Beavers swept the Lady Bulldogs in doubles action and won at the No. 2 singles spot for the win. Whitefish is still undefeated in conference, but they know down the road they may have to face Dillon again this year.

"Dillon has a strong team, but our girls played well," head coach Kathy Cummings said. "We just have to work on getting our first serve in and being more consistent."

Cummings said weather was a factor for both teams over the weekend.

"Friday was a beautiful day for tennis, but Saturday was awful," she said. "It was cold for everybody. The wind makes the ball bounce a bit differently, but their hands are gripping the rackets differently as well."

In the No. 1 singles action, Brielle Menegazzi won her match against Kelsi Nordahl of Dillon 6-3, 6-3. Menegazzi also defeated Sarah Keeble of Polson 6-0, 6-0 to stay undefeated this year.

"Brielle pretty much controlled both matches," Cummings said.

Against Polson, the Lady Pirates got the best of the doubles play but the Lady Bulldogs got the best of all the singles action to earn the close 4-3 win.

On Saturday, both teams cruised to victory over Ronan. The girls swept the Maidens 7-0, while the boys took down the Chiefs 6-1. In the No. 1 singles match, Renzo Caimi defeated Angel Nikolov 6-0, 6-1.

The Whitefish girls then took care of Anaconda 7-0, while the boys defeated St. Ignatius 6-0.

The wins on Saturday moved the Whitefish boys to 8-0 in dual action on the season, while the girls are at 8-1 overall. Both teams take on cross-valley rival Columbia Falls on Thursday, with the boys on home court and the girls traveling. The junior-varsity teams also will play on Thursday. All matches are set to begin at about 3 p.m.

Girls

Dillon 4, Whitefish 3

SINGLES — Brielle Menegazzi, W, def. Kelsi Nordahl, 6-3, 6-3; Stacia Velasco, D, def. Kate Klundt, 6-1, 7-5; McCara Cullen, W, def. Emily Pafflarsen, 6-3, 6-4; Ellie Opal, W, def. Sara Downey, 6-2, 6-3.

DOUBLES — Sammi Mitchell/Anna Brommer, D, def. Almira Sekerci/Meredith Reed, 7-5, 6-3; Alyse Baker/Noche Dietrich, D, def. Becca Rozar/Steffi Osland, 6-4, 5-7, 6-3; Jo Wehrle/Laura Briggs, D, def. Chelsi Bergensmith/Hannah Weaver, 6-3, 6-3.

Whitefish 4, Polson 3

SINGLES — Brielle Menegazzi, W, def. Sarah Keeble, 6-0, 6-0; Kate Klundt, W, def. Jane Probst, 6-4, 6-4; McCara Cullen, W, def. Jenni Reilly, 6-4, 6-3; Ellie Opal, W, def. Kenbyall Rochin, 6-1, 6-2.

DOUBLES — Cali Hislop/Mattea York, P, def. Steffe Osland/Becca Rozar, 6-0, 6-1; Cassie Ward/Maddie Grebetz, P, def. Chelsie Bergensmith/Hannah Weaver, 6-3, 6-0; Kayla Rochin/Kelsie Jones, P, def. Almira Sekerci/Meredith Reed, 6-0, 6-2.

Boys

Whitefish 7, Polson 0

SINGLES — Renzo Caimi, W, def. Karston Erickson, 6-0, 6-0; Matt Harris, W, def. Tyler Engebretson, 6-0, 6-0; Trey Lagrandeur, W, def. Shad Giles, 6-3, 6-2; Tanner Hosek, W, def. Shawn Medland, 6-4, 6-1.

DOUBLES — Kyle Jacobson/Ryan Rottenbiller, W, def. Matt Roberts/Steven Roberts, 6-2, 6-3; Ian Hosek/Brendan Viscomi, W, def. Stefan McCrumb/Seth Hovenkotter, 6-4, 6-1; Matt Whitehead/Zachariah Deister, W, def. TJ Lipko/Kyle Cooper, 6-1, 6-0.

Whitefish 7, St. Ignatius 0

SINGLES — Renzo Caimi, W, def. Wyatt McCollum, 6-0, 6-1; Matt Harris, W, def. Clayton MaKepeace, 6-0, 6-0; Trey Lagrandeur, W, def. Spencer Ahlborn, 6-1, 6-2; Tanner Hosek, W, def. Xavier Streets, 6-2, 6-2.

DOUBLES — Ryan Rottenbiller/Kyle Jacobson, W, def. Clayton MaKepeace/Wyatt McCollum, 6-1, 6-3; Ian Hosek/Brandan Viscomi, W, def. Xavier Streets/Spencer Ahlborn, 6-0, 6-1; Matt Whitehead/Zachariah Deister, W, def. Edward Gunawam/No partner listed, 10-0