Whitefish boys show depth in blanking Cats 7-0

Whitefish showed off its depth last week in routing Columbia Falls 7-0 in Northwest A boys tennis.

Of the five matches played, none went beyond two sets.

“We looked really sharp from top to bottom,” said Whitefish coach Chris Schwaderer. “We were very efficient and didn’t make mistakes. It showed that we’re strong everywhere.”

Max Smyley took little time in securing a win at No. 1 singles, going 6-0, 6-0 over Patrick Tillman. Freshman Brendan Buls won 6-0, 6-0, as well, at No. 4 singles.

Chaffin Ross and Ryan Brown took the victory at No. 1 double 7-5, 6-0. The closest match of the day came at No. 3 doubles where Austin Reese and Clement Delrieux battled for the win 6-4, 6-3.

“No. 3 doubles was a slow start, but they figured out what they needed to do and were able to right the ship,” Schwaderer said.

Saturday the team traveled to the Cut Bank Invitational with a skeleton roster.

“We went deep into our JV roster and gave a lot of kids a chance to play who haven’t played before,” Schwaderer said. “Kids got to play in positions they wouldn’t ordinarily play.”

Whitefish went 1-3 at Cut Bank with a win over Cut Bank and losses to Havre, Hardin and Lewistown.

“We took our lumps but it was a good learning experience,” Schwaderer said. “It showed the younger kids what they need to do if they want to move up in the program.”

The coach commended the recent play of Thomas Carloss, especially against Havre’s top hitter.

“He was in a tough situation and played his game,” Schwaderer said. “He had to step up and swing the racket. He didn’t back down.”

Whitefish has a week of practice before hosting Stevensville on Saturday.

Whitefish 7, Columbia Falls 0

Singles — Max Smyley, W, def. Patrick Tillman, 6-0, 6-0; Eric Holdhusen, W, won by forfeit; Nathan Fauth, W, won by forfeit; Brendan Buls, W, def. Jordan Axeburg, 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles — Chaffin Ross/Ryan Brown, W, def. Brock Denney/Trevor Wick, 7-5, 6-0; Ethan Potthoff/Thomas Carloss, W, def. Danny Morgan/Caleb Fleury, 6-0, 6-1; Austin Reese/Clement Delrieux, W, def. John Gilk/Sean Hoerner, 6-4, 6-3.