Whitefish tennis delivered a masterclass performance Tuesday at FVCC, with the Bulldogs sweeping Flathead in both boys' and girls' duals without dropping a single set. Liesl Brust and Jack Oehlerich led the charge, setting the tone for a near-perfect day as the team gears up for divisionals next week in Polson.
"This is a great tune-up," said Whitefish girls coach Patrick Dryden. "That is what every coach wants—you want your kids tested, and you want them to play someone who is their equal or maybe a bit better. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and with divisionals and state coming in the next two weeks, those are not very relaxed."
Brust dominated the No. 1 singles match, defeating Allie Goff 6-2, 6-1, while Ainsley Grubb and Daisy Lusko each dropped only one set in their respective victories. The doubles pair of Camry Kelch and Allie Shors continued their hot season with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 win over Nina Parris and Sienna Blanchard.
On the boys' side, Oehlerich remained undefeated on the year with a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Flathead's Rowen Alexander. "I went in with the mindset that I need to keep playing well. I can't let off," Oehlerich said. "Once you start letting off, you let your opponent get a couple of games. I just need to keep playing strong mentally."
Owen Erickson added a flawless 6-0, 6-0 victory for the Bulldogs in singles, while the doubles pairs of Aaron Anderson and Marcus Mercer, along with Cole Moses and Jake Shors, also didn't drop a single game.
"I feel like we have been very consistent, very business-like," said Bulldogs boys coach Chris Schwaderer. "We are very deep. We have a lot of players who are really committed. It's always fun to play the AA schools. We always enjoy the local rivalries."
The Bulldogs will face Polson in a pair of duals on Thursday at FVCC, after two previously scheduled attempts were rained out. Flathead, meanwhile, heads on the road to Bozeman to face the Hawks and Gallatin on Friday before divisionals at FVCC the following week. With momentum like this, Whitefish is looking like a team to watch as the postseason approaches.