Boys clobber Cats in tennis season opener

The young and talented Bulldog tennis team opened the season Thursday with a commanding 7-0 victory at Columbia Falls.

Freshman Max Smyley won at No. 1 singles 6-2, 6-2 over Brock Denney.

Nathan Fauth dropped the first set at No. 2 singles before grinding out the next two 6-4, 6-3. Exchanged student Arsenije Gavric won at No. 3 singles.

Ryan Brown and Chaffin Ross teamed up at No. 1 doubles to score an easy 6-0, 6-1 victory.

Whitefish coach Chris Schwaderer was pleased with the strong start and is anticipating more success as the season progresses — even without a single senior on the roster.

“The team has been evolving over the past few years to where a lot of kids are playing in the off-season,” Schwaderer said. “These kids like tennis and are committed to tennis. This is going to be a great group.”

Whitefish lost five seniors from last season’s roster, but a collection of underclassmen are ready to step up, Schwaderer said.

“We loaded right up with freshman and kids who worked to improve,” he said.

Smyley looks to be a true No. 1 at singles — something the Dogs have been missing in recent years. Having that position locked in will help balance out the rest of the roster.

“Not having a true No. 1 is tough in this conference,” Schwaderer said. “It forced us to play kids up. For the first time, our lineup is going to be accurate.”

Team captains Fauth, Brown and Ross will lead the young team.

Schwaderer says Brown and Ross are a natural fit at No. 1 doubles.

“They’re scrappy and athletic, they like net play and being aggressive,” he said. “They are getting more sophisticated with strategy.”

Whitefish should be in contention for a Northwest A title, but Schwaderer says Polson and Libby could be contenders, as well.

“You can never underestimate Polson,” he said. “They have been loaded the last four years, and I expect them to be tough.”

Whitefish next plays at Libby then travels to Cut Bank for an invitational against teams from the Eastern and Central divisions.

“It’s fun to get out of the region,” Schwaderer said. “Some of these teams we never see until state.”

Whitefish 7, Columbia Falls 0

Singles — Max Smyley, WF, def. Brock Denney 6-2, 6-2; Nathan Fauth, WF, def. Trevor Wick 4-6, 6-4, 6-3; Arsenije Gavric, WF, def. Gabby Delorme 6-1, 6-0; Jack Brandt, WF, def. Garret Caffery 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles — Ryan Brown/Chaffin Ross, WF, def. Danny Morgan/Patrick Tillman 6-0, 6-1; Austin Reese/Eric Holdhusen, WF, def. Caleb Fleury/Qyinn Ingraham 6-1, 6-0; Ethan Potthoff/Jack Kahle, WF, def. Julian Street/Braxton Schewalter 6-2, 6-0.