Bulldog netters rally past Pirates
The Whitefish boys tennis squad pulled off an impressive come-from-behind 4-3 victory at Polson on Friday to extend their winning streak to three matches.
"It was high drama," Bulldog coach Chris Schwaderer said. "We lost our first three matches of the dual and were kind of in a hole. I was just hoping we could pull it out in the end."
After six matches garnered a tie score at 3-3, it came down to the No. 3 doubles team of Nick Jack and Casey Beiser to get the win for Whitefish. As a crowd gathered around the court, the duo took on the Pirates' Ian Laimbeer and Sam Peel in a grueling three-set match that went 33 games.
The teams split their first two sets 6-3, 5-7 to set up a winner-take-all scenario in the final frame, where Jack and Beiser gutted out a tough 6-4 win to seal the victory.
"They came back strong in the third set," Schwaderer said. "They could have succumbed to the pressure, but they showed they had the confidence and drive to get it done.
"All year long, I've had it in my mind that Polson was the top team in the conference. They have a great program down there and have built up a tradition. It was a great day for us."
Earlier in the day, the No. 2 doubles team of Connor Ellis and Joel Bacher continued their tear through league play by topping Hayden Congdon and Will Davey, 6-3, 6-4.
"They really have improved and continue to improve," Schwaderer said. "They're a really scrappy team with great chemistry. They always find a way to win."
Francisco Valle scored a 6-2, 6-0 win at No. 3 singles over Andrew Storro, and Austin Sattler topped Reed Hovenkotter, 6-1, 6-2.
Jacob Washer lost a tough match to Matt Roberts at the No. 1 singles slot, but Schwaderer continues to see improvement from the team's top-seeded player.
"Even though he lost, his game is really improving," Schwaderer said. "He has developed a really effective second serve. He's a good athlete and a quick learner, but he's up against some of the most skilled kids out there."
Schwaderer said Washer torn his meniscus in a non-tennis-related incident and will be out for at least 10 days.
The coach also commended No. 2 singles player Tyler Schiff.
"I think he's ready to turn the corner and start finishing," Schwaderer said. "That's what we need out of him."
The 'Dogs travel to rival Columbia Falls today to play a conference dual that Schwaderer expects to win.
"I want them to bring intensity and a competitive spirit to the match," he said. "Tennis has connotation of being a gentleman's sport, but I believe in being competitive and going out there to win."
The dual is slated for 3:30 p.m.
Whitefish 4, Polson 3
Singles – Matt Roberts, P, def. Jacob Washer, 6-2, 6-2; Christian McCurdy, P, def. Tyler Schiff, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2; Francisco Valle, W, def. Andrew Storro, 6-2, 6-0; Austin Sattler, W, def. Reed Hovenkotter, 6-1, 6-2.
Doubles – Shad Giles/Justin Evertz, P, def. Morison/Joel Mallums, 6-2, 6-4; Connor Ellis/Joel Bacher, W, def. Hayden Congdon/Will Davey, 6-3, 6-4; Nick Jack/Casey Beiser, W, def. Ian Laimbeer/Sam Peel, 6-3, 5-7, 6-4.