Kenyon, Ellis rally to win divisional

Down a set and getting handled in the second, it was time for Whitefish’s No. 1 doubles tennis team to put on their rally caps.

Camp Kenyon and Connor Ellis had easily worked their way through the divisional tennis bracket at Polson, only to find themselves in a giant hole in the semifinals against the Pirates’ No. 1 team of Will Davey and Ian Laimbeer.

After dropping the first set 6-7 in a tiebreaker and then the first three games in the second frame, the duo finally found their stroke.

“It was looking grim and you could tell they were disheartened and agitated with their play,” Whitefish coach Chris Schwaderer said. “We came together and tried to figure out a way to win. It came down to them being more aggressive. Finally they decided to mix up some shots and put more pace on the ball and make them react.”

Kenyon and Ellis turned the tables to take the second set by winning 7-6 in a tiebreaker, then dominated the final set 6-3.

“They totally turned things around,” Schwaderer said. “They broke Polson’s spirit. It was such a huge match because it showed our guys they have the ability to win against anyone.”

The victory put them in the finals where they easily knocked off Hayden Congdon and Dylan McCrumb from Polson to win the doubles divisional title.

Their run helped Whitefish earn enough points to take second place overall in the tourney with 29 points. Polson won the team title with 54 points.

Ellis and Kenyon head to state in Great Falls this week as a No. 1 seed.

“The No. 1 seed sets them up in the draw so much better,” Schwaderer said. “They stand a good chance of placing.”

Corvallis looks to have the top doubles team in the state, but Schwaderer says anything can happen in the state tourney.

“We’ve got to be in the top four in the state,” he said. “In that group, almost anyone can emerge. I’ve got high hopes for them.”

On the singles side at divisional, a number of players picked up wins but none made the finals bracket.

Sophomores Logan Blades and Bailey Jack, and senior Matteo Barbuti all made the quarterfinals with two-set wins in the first round. Blades and Jack went on to pick up wins in the consolation bracket.

“Blades is very competitive, he’s a gamer and rises to the occasion,” Schwaderer said.

Jack was a “huge bright spot” at the divisional tourney. He was pulled up off the JV squad at the last minute and played as the No. 2 seed.

“He really stepped up and beat people that on paper, he shouldn’t have,” Schwaderer said.

On the doubles side, Sean Janni and Nick Jack won in the first round after a three-set battle against Polson’s Sam Kinzle and Reed Hovenkotter.

Schwaderer said he was happy with the team’s season overall and that he’s optimistic about the future.

“This senior heavy team created a positive feeling,” he said. “We had good leadership, kids who were dedicated and improved throughout the year and worked hard. It was a great team to coach.”

He points to Blades, Jack and Holden Roberts as players to keep an eye on next season.

Team scores: Polson 54, Whitefish 29, Columbia Falls 22, Libby 17.

Singles

Semifinals – Brady Hislop, P, def. Layne Zimmerman, P, default; Sam Peel, P, def. Brian Marcille, CF, 6-3, 6-4.

Championship – Hislop def. Peel 6-0, 6-1.

Consolation championship – Marcille def. Leggins, 6-2, 6-2.

Doubles

Semifinals – Hayden Congdon/Dylan McCrumb, P, def. Parker Johnson/Miroslav Zvyagelskiy, CF, 3-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4; Camp Kenyon/Connor Ellis, WF, def. Will Davey/Ian Laimbeer, P, 6-7 (2), 7-6 (2), 6-3

Championship – Kenyon/Ellis def. Congdon/McCrumb, 6-3, 6-3

Consolation championship – Johnson/Zvyagelskiy, CF, def. Laimbeer/Davey, P, 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-2.

Singles

First Round: Brady Hislop (P) def. Nick Alspaw (L) 6-2, 6-0; Logan Blades (WF) def. Caleb Baumann (CF) 6-3, 6-2; Bailey Jack (WF) def. Gavin Thelen (CF) 6-2, 6-2; Layne Zimmerman (P) def. Jason Schnackenberg (L) 6-3, 6-3; Matteo Barbuti (WF) def. Chris Wittcamp (CF) 6-0, 6-0; Sam Peel (P) def. Andrew Smith (L) 6-1, 6-0; Dan Leggins (L) def. Tommy Mercer (P) 6-2, 6-3; Brian Marcille (CF) def. Holden Roberts (WF) 6-1, 6-3;

Quarterfinals: Hislop (P) def. Blades (WF) 6-0, 6-0; Zimmerman (P) def. Jack (WF) 6-1, 6-0; Peel (P) def. Barbuti (WF) 6-1. 6-4; Marcille (CF) def. Leggins (L) 6-4, 7-5

Consolation: Jason Schnackenberg (L) def. Gavin Thelen (CF) 6-1, 6-0; Alspaw (L) def. Baumann (CF) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; Smith (L) def. Wittcamp (CF) 6-0, 6-3; Mercer (P) def. Roberts (WF) 7-6 (8), 6-2; Jack (WF) def. Smith (L) 6-3, 6-1; Schnackenberg (L) def. Barbuti (WF) 6-2, 6-2; Legins (L) def. Alspaw (L) 6-1, 6-2; Blades (WF) def. Mercer (P) 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6)

Doubles

First Round: Ian Mysclicki/Lane Luscher (L) def. Simon Kaell/Kolter Larsen (WF) 6-2, 6-1; Sean Janni/ Nick Jack (WF) def. Sam Kinzle/ Reed Hovenkotter (P) 3-6, 7-6 (2), 6-1; Rob Hamilton/ Pat Valentine (L) def. Mike Sandifer/ Wyatt Wollenzien (CF) 6-2, 6-2; Andrew West/ Mason Gedlaman (CF) def. Jake Reny/ Josh Broderick (L) 7-6 (4), 6-2;

Quarterfinals: Parker Johnson/ Miroslav Zvagelskiy (CF) def. Janni/Jack (WF) 6-0, 6-0; Hayden Congdon/ Dylan McCrumb (P) def. Myslicki/Luscher (L) 7-6 (0), 6-3; Will Davey/ Ian Laimbeer (P) def. Hamilton/Valentine (L) 6-2, 6-1; Camp Kenyon/ Connor Ellis (WF) def. West/ Geldaman (CF) 6-3, 6-2