Lady netters off to good start

Whitefish’s girls tennis squad showed the league last week they’re no pushover this season. They’re more experienced, more aggressive and most importantly, more confident.

“We’re hitting the ball really well,” coach Patrick Dryden said.

The Lady Bulldogs rolled to 6-1 dual win in their season opener on Thursday against the Libby Lady Loggers.

Ryan Chauner picked up a win in the No. 2 match and used her solid baseline game to keep Libby’s Harley Malmstrom on the run.

Simone Craft outlasted Patricia Manikove in a marathon match that went three sets 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-5), while Sloan Ellis cruised at No. 4 to top Shaelin Jensen in two quick sets.

Megan Danczyk and Lindsey Viscomi looked solid as the No. 1 doubles pair, taking down Tana Wilson and Hannah Sullivan 6-2, 6-2.

Haly Craven and Lauren Cain were paired at No. 2 doubles and picked up a hard fought three-set victory, while Hailey Vazquez and Mackenzie Thomas took care of business at No. 3 with a 6-1, 6-0 win.

Friday, Whitefish edged Bigfork for a 4-3 dual victory.

“Bigfork beat us twice last year, so to beat them is a nice step in right direction,” Dryden said.

Mackenzie Thomas outlasted Madison Fraley in two sets 7-5, 6-2 in the No. 3 singles match to pick up the Lady Bulldog’s lone singles win. Her win ended up being the deciding factor in the dual win.

“Mackenzie just demoralized her opponent,” Dryden said. “She didn’t let up and then rolled in the second set.”

Danczyk and Viscomi battled to win at No. 1 doubles 6-2, 7-6 (7-1), while Chauner and Craven teamed up at No. 2 doubles for a 6-1, 6-1 win.

Anna Carpenter and Frankino grabbed a 6-4, 6-1 win at No. 3 doubles.

Saturday, Whitefish swept Stevensville 7-0 and took their first dual loss at Hamilton 2-5.

The highlight from Stevensville was Craft’s win at No. 1 singles, marking the first time in three years a Whitefish player has beat Stevi’s top seed.

Dryden was impressed with Craft’s play all week and says she is solidifying her spot in the starting lineup.

“She’s very consistent,” he said. “The harder somebody hits it, the better she plays. She’s getting everything back — it’s really frustrating for her opponents.”

Dryden says Danczky and Viscomi are playing really well together at No. 1 doubles. He looks for them to take their game a step further and start incorporating plays. He also likes what Chauner and Craven have shown as a team.

“Ryan Chauner looked good at singles, but she also looked good with Haley Craven,” Dryden said. “Craven is our most improved player early in the season.”

Whitefish plays two tough matches this week against Polson and Dillon.

“It’s a tremendous challenge,” Dryden said. “Polson’s been the strongest team in the state and Dillon is probably second. It’ll be good to see them and I’d like to be competitive. Both teams are well coached and play tennis the way it’s supposed to be played.”

Whitefish 6, Libby 1

Singles — Kaya Hardgrove, L, def. McKenzie Wick, 6-2, 6-2; Ryan Chauner, W, def. Harley Malmstrom, 6-3, 6-0; Simone Craft, W, def. Patricia Manikova, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10-5); Sloan Ellis, W, def. Shaelin Jensen, 6-1, 6-0.

Doubles — Megan Danczyk/Lindsey Viscomi, W, def. Tana Wilson/Hannah Sullivan, 6-2, 6-2; Haley Craven/Lauren Cain, W, def. Kira Rose/Kyla O’Brien, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2; Hailey Vazquez/Mackenzie Thomas, W, def. Mariah Briskin/Becky Boulware, 6-1, 6-0.

Whitefish 4, Bigfork 3

Singles – Kianna Wicklund, B, def. Simone Craft, 6-3, 6-1; McKinzie Shults, B, def. Sloan Ellis, 6-1, 6-1; Mackenzie Thomas, W, def. Madison Fraley, 7-5, 6-2; Brooke Bonner, B, def. Mackie Wick, 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles – Megan Danczyk/Lindsey Viscomi, W, def. Allanis Stallknecht/Shelby Scoggins, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1); Ryan Chauner/Haley Craven, W, def. Makenna Gembala/Allanis Stallknecht, 6-1, 6-1; Anna Carpenter/Maggie Frankino, W, def. Mariah Bradstreet/Genovieve Gibson, 6-4, 6-1.

Whitefish 7, Stevensville 0

Singles – Simone Craft, WF, def. Mersadiez Leese 6-2, 4-6, 6-0; Ryan Chaunet, WF, def. Alex Doll 6-0, 6-1; Sloan Ellis, WF, def. Kayla Dufresne 6-4, 6-1; MacKenzie Thomas, WF, def. Nani Murray 6-2, 6-2

Doubles – Megan Danczyk/Lindsey Viscomi, WF, def. Rachel Coyle/Katelin Hancock 6-1, 6-2; Maggie Frankino/Anna Carpenter, WF, won by def.ault; Haley Craven/Lauren Cain, WF, def. Lakota Brist/Sandy Vogel 6-1, 6-0.