Bulldog netters sweep in Polson

Boys blank the Pirates, girls struggle in doubles play but eke out win

By DAVID ERICKSON

Whitefish Pilot

It was business as usual for the Whitefish boys tennis team as they defeated the Polson Pirates in an all-straight-sets sweep on Thursday, 7-0.

The Lady Bulldogs didn’t have as easy a time against Polson, needing wins from all four singles spots to make up for being swept in doubles action. The Whitefish girls won 4-3 over the Lady Pirates.

Assistant head coach Ben Ruffatto said the boys looked strong, as they have all season.

“Renzo (Caimi) cruised, Ryan (Rottenbiller) cruised, they all played well,” he said. “It was a good win for (Lucas Peace), to get some experience. Everyone fared pretty well.”

Ruffatto said Matt Harris, who placed second at state last year as a singles player, has been more or less permanently moved to a doubles position with Brendan Viscomi this year.

“The plan is to have a team contend for the state championship in both singles and doubles, so we moved Matt to doubles,” he said. “Matt has been pretty receptive to the idea. He’s a great player. He’s less experienced playing doubles, obviously, but he’s been doing well.”

Ruffatto said his team is confident heading into the divisional tournament in Kalispell this weekend.

“We’re feeling pretty good,” he said of his undefeated boys team. “We know there are some good teams that we may have to face at state, though. Corvallis is always good, Havre has a quality team. Right now we’re just focusing on getting their heads screwed on straight for divisionals, though.”

The State Class A divisional tennis tournament begins at the courts at the Flathead Community College on Thursday, May 15, with matches set to begin at 9 a.m. The tournament runs through Saturday.

Because of his undefeated record this year, Whitefish star Renzo Caimi will almost certainly be the No. 1 seed on the boys side. No other seeds have been set so far.

Boys

Whitefish 7, Polson 0

Singles - Renzo Caimi, W, def. Tyler Engebretson, 6-0, 6-0; Ryan Rottenbiller, W, def. Karston Erickson, 6-3, 6-1; Ian Hosek, W, def. Shawn Medland, 6-0, 6-1; Lucas Peace, W, def. TJ Lipko, 6-1, 7-5.

Doubles - Matt Harris/Brendan Viscomi, W, def. Steven Roberts/Matt Roberts, 6-1, 6-0; Kyle Jacobson/Trey Lagrandeur, W, def. Shad Giles/Stefan McCrumb, 6-1, 6-0; Matt Whitehead/Zachariah Deister, W, def. Kyle Cooper/Seth Hovenkotter, 6-1, 6-2.

Girls

Whitefish 4, Polson 3

Singles - Brielle Menegazzi, W, def. Kelsie Jones, 6-0, 6-0; Kate Klundt, W, def. Jane Probst, 6-1, 6-2; Almi Sekecri, W, def. Sara Keeble, 6-3, 6-1; Ellie Opel, W, def. Jenni Reilly, 6-4, 6-2.

Doubles - Cali Hislop/Malika Erickson, P, def. McCara Cullen/Chelsi Birgensmith, 6-1, 6-0; Mattea York/Maddie Grebetz, P, def. Steffi Osland/Becca Rozar, 6-0, 6-1; Cassie Ward/Kayla Rochin, P, def. Meredith Reed/Anne Miller, 6-1, 6-2.