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Dogs slice through wind at Cut Bank

by Matt Baldwin / Whitefish Pilot
| April 15, 2015 10:00 PM

Whitefish boys tennis has a better idea of where it stands among the ranks of Class A after an impressive weekend at the Cut Bank Invitational.

The Bulldogs overcame the notoriously windy conditions to go 3-1 against some of the top teams in the East. The Dogs defeated Cut Bank, Hardin and Fergus, before dropping a close match with Havre.

“We got to see some good programs from the Central and East, and we responded really well,” boys coach Chris Schwaderer said.

Top singles player Max Smyley went 3-1 at Cut Bank, with his only loss to the defending Class A state champion from Havre.

“Max had a great tournament,” Schwaderer said. “It looked like no one told him the winds were blowing. He just cut through it.”

The No. 2 doubles team of Eathan Potthoff and Thomas Carloss also played well, going 4-0 at the invite.

“They used the wind to their advantage, rather than being worked by it,” Schwaderer said. “They played smart and communicated well. It was fun to watch.”

Schwaderer said the long weekend in Cut Bank was a good chance for the team to bond before the season grind kicks in.

“It’s a good trip to bring everyone together,” he said. “Top to bottom, I feel we are really consistent and have a strong lineup.”

Prior to the Cut Bank trip, Whitefish blasted a solid Libby team 5-2 for a Northwest A dual victory.

“Libby is really good and they’re going to be there at the end,” Schwaderer said. “I was curious to see how we matched up.”

Whitefish picked up key a win at No. 3 doubles with Austin Reese and Eric Holdhusen outlasting Braydon Thom and Erik Lauer in three tough sets.

Nathan Fauth also rallied at No. 2 singles for a comeback win in three sets.

“We won some matches that were tight,” Schwaderer said. “We won when it could have gone either way.”

Monday, the Dogs kept it rolling with a 4-3 win over Bigfork.

Whitefish’s next action is Saturday in Polson versus Dillon and Polson.

Whitefish 5, Libby 2

Singles — Walter Briones, L, def. Max Smyley, 6-4, 6-3; Nathan Fauth, W, def. Cody Wood, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5); Jason Brant, L, def. Arsenije Gavric, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-3; Jack Brandt, W, def. Tucker Zimmerman, 6-1, 6-1.

Doubles — Ryan Brown/Chaffin Ross, W, def. Jamaal Sykes/Kody Bailey, 6-1, 6-0; Ethan Potthoff/Thomas Carloss, W, def. Raymond Sadewasser/Rayson Arnold, 6-0, 6-0; Austin Reese/Eric Holdhusen, W, def. Braydon Thom/Erik Lauer, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4.

Whitefish 4, Bigfork 3

Singles — Max Smyley, W, def. Kyle Thompson, 6-4, 6-0; Nathan Fauth, W, def. Tyler Zavala, 6-0, 6-0; Jack Brandt, W, def. Michael Bedford, 6-1, 6-2; Mack Paine, B, def. Jack Kahle, 3-6, 6-1, 7-5

Doubles — Isaac Martel/Adam Jordt, B, def. Ryan Brown/Chaffin Ross, 6-2, 6-2; Ben Russell/George Gibson, B, def. Ethan Potthoff/Thomas Carloss, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2; Austin Reese/Eric Holdhusen, W, def. Noah Van Queckelberg/Mack Paine, 6-0, 6-0.