Whitefish boys blank Cats in final home dual

The Bulldogs played near perfect tennis Thursday in blanking Columbia Falls 7-0 for a Northwest A dual win in Whitefish.

Whitefish didn’t drop a single set in any of the seven matches on the day.

Head coach Chris Schwaderer said the strong outing comes on the heels of a productive weekend at the Bitterroot Invite.

“The Bitterroot was a great opportunity for everyone to get in a lot of quality matches and see some good competition,” Schwaderer said. “ It really showed against Columbia Falls. We were very efficient and didn’t make a lot of mistakes.”

Thomas Carloss and Ethan Potthoff went 6-0, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles and Max Smyley went 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1 singles to lead the effort.

Power hitters Chaffin Ross and Austin Reece teamed up at No. 2 doubles for the first time and made quick work of their match, winning 6-1, 6-0.

Nathan Fauth only dropped one game at No. 2 singles to pick up his win.

The boys next travel to Libby on May 9 where they will face the Loggers and Polson to wrap up the regular season schedule.

Schwaderer says the final weekend will be a good test before the Northwest A divisional tournament, which also is in Libby.

“It will be sort of like a divisional preview,” he said. “We’ve come a long way this season and I look forward to seeing how we match up.”

Schwaderer said each of the three teams has a chance to win the division title.

“We’re going to have a heck of a battle,” he said. “There’s so much parody. Whoever shows up and is prepared will advance to state.”

Whitefish 7, Columbia Falls 0

Singles — Max Smyley, W, def. Trevor Wick, 6-3, 6-2; Nathan Fauth, W, def. Gabby DeLorme, 6-1, 6-0; Eric Holdhusen, W, def. Garret Caffery, 6-0, 6-0; Cole Turgeon, W, def. Julian Street, 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles — Thomas Carloss/Ethan Potthoff, W, def. Brock Denny/Cooper Wendt, 6-0, 6-3; Austin Reese/Chaffin Ross, W, def. Danny Morgan/Patrick Tillman, 6-1, 6-0; Jack Brandt/Jack Kahle, W, def. Qynn Ingraham/Caleb Fleury, 6-2, 6-1.