Lady Bulldog netters a threat

Whitefish’s girls tennis team is looking to build on last year and make some noise in the conference led by a number of returning players. Early in the pre-season, coach Patrick Dryden likes what he sees.

“A lot of our girls put in practice time over the winter and a few took lessons,” Dryden said. “It seems like we are way ahead of last year. We’ll be a better team.”

The roster is 27 girls deep with seven seniors.

Dryden points to Maggie Frankino and Anna Carpenter as a top doubles team.

“They both have put in time and have vastly improved,” he said.

Ryan Chauner, Haley Craven and Megan Danczyk also look to be in good form on the doubles side.

The singles side could be led by sophomores Caroline Carbo, Simone Craft and Sloan Ellis. Junior Lauren Cain is returning as well.

Dryden says the team is already proving to be a more aggressive team than in past years.

“Last year we were content to get the ball over the net,” he said. “This year the girls are really swinging the racquet and hitting with more pace. That’s fun to see.”

The conference is shaping up to be tough, Dryden said, with Polson likely a top team in the state. Libby should be improved, too.

Whitefish’s first conference dual is Thursday at Columbia Falls.