Bulldogs rally for first tennis win

Whitefish boys tennis coach Chris Schwaderer felt the team was due for a win heading into a dual with Stevensville on Saturday.

After suffering through a few tough one-point losses to open the season, including a 4-3 defeat to Libby on April 15 and a 6-1 loss to Hamilton on Saturday morning, the Bulldogs finally closed out a win by topping the Jackets 5-2.

"I wanted them to step up and close," Schwaderer said. "I feel like we finally got that intensity. The team has a strong competitive spirit."

Whitefish (1-4, 0-1) and Stevensville were evenly matched, according to the coach, but the 'Dogs dropped their opening two matches, creating a sizable hole to climb out of.

"We got off to a 0-2 start, and I had a bad feeling about where we were going," he said. "It would have been easy for the team to fold, but they stepped up. The kids rallied and pulled it out in the end."

The No. 1 doubles team of Jake Morison and Austin Sattler put together a big win over Travis Griffin and Josh Meier, taking the first set 7-6 before dropping the second 3-6. In the final frame, the duo battled to seal the win with a 6-4 set.

"They felt like they were getting in Stevensville's head in the end," Schwaderer said about the final set. "They had what it took to close."

In the No. 3 singles match, Bulldog Joel Bacher had a marathon match that came down to a test of endurance. Bacher topped Kyle Constantino 6-7, 6-2.

"Joel was better conditioned," Schwaderer said. "It was toward the end of a long day, so it was a test to see who could hold on. Joel had more determination."

The coach commended the doubles team of Konnor Hopewell and Alex Fuehrer, noting that they picked up the team's only win at Hamilton before winning again at Stevensville.

Capping off the win for Whitefish were Connor Ellis at No. 3 singles and the No. 2 doubles team of Nick Jack and Casey Beiser.

The Bulldogs host Columbia Falls today at 3 p.m.

Whitefish 5, Stevensville 2

SINGLES — James Enzler, S, def. Jacob Washer 3-6, 2-6; Ryan Dufresne, S, def. Francisco Valle 1-6, 3-6; Joel Bacher, WF, def. Kyle Constantino 7-5, 6-2; Connor Ellis, WF, def. Shane Bortschi 6-2, 6-2.

DOUBLES — Jake Morison/Austin Sattler, WF, def. Travis Griffin/Josh Meier 7-6, 3-6, 6-4; Nick Jack/Casey Beiser, WF, def. Jordan Owens/Nathan Tavares 6-1, 7-5; Konnor Hopewell/Alex Fuehrer, WF, def. Garin McGrann/Milan Plachy 6-4, 7-5.