Whitefish edges Dillon, Polson in tennis season opener

The Whitefish boys opened their tennis season Saturday with a pair of impressive dual wins.

The Bulldogs downed the seasoned hitters from Polson 5-2, then took out newcomer Dillon 4-3 in Class A action.

“I’m really proud of how our guys went in there,” Whitefish boys coach Chris Schwaderer said. “A few of those matches could have gone either way.”

Whitefish swept singles action against Polson.

Max Smyley edged out a three-set win over Polson’s Jaron Morgan in the No. 1 match, and Eric Holdhusen blanked Kabe Forman-Webster at No. 2. Nathan Fauth and freshman Brendan Buls each won in two sets at No. 3 and No. 4.

“Brendan was somewhat of an unknown coming into the year,” Schwaderer said. “He had a lot of confidence on the court and that was fun to see.”

Jack Brandt and Clement Delrieux teamed up for a two-set win at No. 3 doubles.

Schwaderer said Dillon proved to be a real test for Whitefish.

“They’re solid for sure,” he said. “They’ve improved a lot as a team and have a lot of great athletes.”

Whitefish went 3-1 in singles play with Smyley, Holdhusen and Buls picking up key wins.

Ryan Brown and Ethan Potthoff won a tough one at No. 2 doubles 7-6 (7-5), 6-1.

“They looked good for us at No. 2,” Schwaderer said.

The coach said his team looks sharp for the early point in the season.

“We’re further along than we normally are, much more prepared,” he said.

Whitefish played at Columbia Falls on Tuesday. They host Libby on Thursday, then travel to Cut Bank for a tournament this weekend.

“That will be fun to see all the teams from the East,” Schwaderer said.

Boys

Whitefish 5, Polson 2

Singles — Max Smyley, W, def. Jaron Morgan, 6-3, 4-6, 6-0; Eric Holdhusen, W, def. Kabe Forman-Webster, 6-0, 6-0; Nathan Fauth, W, def. Wyatt Ducharme, 7-5, 6-3; Brendan Buls, W, def. Hudson Smith, 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles — Quaid Harlan/Colin Kenney, P, def. Thomas Carloss/Ethan Poffhoff, 6-3, 6-2; Cadis Chowning/Matt Sitter, P, def. Ryan Brown/Chaffin Ross, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4; Jack Brandt/Clement Delrieux, W, def. Sam Schultz/Kaiden Forman-Webster, 6-1, 6-3.

Whitefish 4, Dillon 3

Singles — Max Smyley, W, def. Brad Rakich, 7-5, 6-3; Eric Holdhusen, W, def. Jonathan Leonardson, 6-4, 7-5; Caleb Jones, D, def. Thomas Carloss, 7-6 (7-2), 6-4; Brendan Buls, W, def. Nate Leonardson, 6-4, 6-0.

Doubles — Todd Nordahl/Kyson Wilson, D, def. Nathan Fauth/Chaffin Ross, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3; Ryan Brown/Ethan Potthoff, W, def. Isaak Koslosky/Gunnar Maisch, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1; Luke Peterson/Mark Sautham, D, def. Jack Brandt,Jack Kahle, 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.