Dogs tweak roster heading into tennis divisional

Whitefish’s boys tennis team has switched up its roster as it heads into the Northwest A divisional tournament this week with the hopes of sending a few players to state.

The No. 1 doubles team of seniors Logan Blades and Holden Roberts was split up, with Roberts moving to No. 1 singles. Blades will team up with sophomore Nathan Fauth at No. 1 doubles.

“It’s a bit of a shake up this late in the season,” Whitefish coach Chris Schwaderer said. “But I wanted to capitalize on what I think is a wide open singles draw at divisional.”

He said Roberts’ game is better suited for singles play with his dominate ground strokes and consistency.

“He’s got a favorable draw at singles,” Schwaderer said.

On the double side, Blades and Fauth will team up for a run at state. They posted a nice win over Bigfork on Thursday.

“Fauth has had a breakout year,” Schwaderer said. “He’s a natural with a lot of good elements to his game.

He said Fauth and Blades compliment each other on the court.

Bailey Jack and Tommy Murphy also will look to make some noise at divisionals in doubles play.

“They can create some havoc in the draw,” Schwaderer said. “They can get through if they play the way I know they can.”

Chaffin Ross is another player on the singles side to keep an eye on.

The defending state champs from Polson enter the tourney as a favorite with the top two doubles teams. Polson’s Brady Hislop is seeded No. 1 in singles, with Roberts at No. 2.

“Polson is tough and deep, they’re the frontrunner,” Schwaderer said.

“We have to be ready to play. No one will hand us a ticket to Billings.”

“But if we do what we’re capable of, we can send a few to state.”

The Northwest A divisional tennis tournament begins Thursday at the Flathead Valley Community College courts. Whitefish is hosting the tournament.