Bulldog boys finish second at state tennis tourney

By CHRIS TUCKER

Whitefish Pilot

Bulldog tennis player Matt Harris took second place in the state tournament in Miles City this week. He was defeated by Billing Central's Jordan Hatzell, 6-1, 6-1, in the championship singles match.

The Whitefish boys scored 26 points to finish second overall. Billings Central took first place overall with 32 points.

"I'm very proud about the way the boys played," said coach Kathy Cummings of the Bulldog team. "They played their hearts out."

Cummings credited Billings Central for their strong tennis game.

The Bulldogs led the state contest with 13 total points after the first day of play Thursday, but Billings Central was just one point behind.

Ian Hosek, Ryan Rottenbiller and Matt Harris all won their first-round matches. Rottenbiller advanced to the semi-finals by defeating Glendive's Blake Anderson, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2.

Harris also advanced by defeating Lewistown's Justin Hartford, 7-5, 6-2. Hosek was defeated in the quarterfinals by Hatzell, 6-0, 6-1.

The Bulldogs' doubles team, Kyle Jacobson and Brendan Viscomi, won their first-round match against Livingston's Peter DeBoer and Rex Allen, 6-2, 6-4, but lost in the quarterfinals.

Brielle Menegazzi lost her first-round match to Livingston's Hanna Barney, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5. Doubles team Kate Whitaker and Kimberly McIntyre also lost their first-round match.

Friday's matches were cancelled due to heavy rain, but play resumed Saturday when Rottenbiller was defeated in the semifinals by Hatzell and then lost in the consolation final. Harris won his semifinal match and continued to the championship game.

Overall, the girls earned three points and placed 10th.

Senior Scott Johnson graduates this year, but all other team members may play again next season.

On the way back from the state tournament, the team's bus caught on fire. See the story on page A6 for more information.

Thursday

Boys

Singles

First round

Ian Hosek, Whi, def. Caleb Gueldenhaar, Ham, 6-4, 6-2; Ryan Rottenbiller, Whi, def. Eric Johnson, Ham, 6-2, 6-3; Matt Harris, Whi, def. Dillon Murray, Cor, 6-0, 6-0.

Quarterfinals

Hatzell def. Hosek 6-0, 6-1; Rottenbiller def. Anderson 5-7, 6-2, 6-2; Harris def. Hartford 7-5, 6-2.

Doubles

First round

Kyle Jacobson-Brendan Viscomi, Whi, def. Peter DeBoer-Rex Allen, Liv, 6-2, 6-4

Quarterfinals

Hyde-Norby def. Jacobson-Viscomi 6-4, 6-3.

Girls

Singles

First round

Hanna Barney, Liv, def. Brielle Menegazzi, Whi, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5

First round consolation

Menegazzi def. Velasco 6-1, 6-2

Doubles

First round

Shannon Judge-Katherine Bonnin, Dil, def. Kate Whitaker-Kimberly McIntyre, Whi, 7-6 (5), 6-0

First round consolation

Meyer-Hardy def. Whitaker-McIntyre 6-1, 6-4

Saturday

Boys

Singles

Semifinals - Jordan Hatzell, BC def. Ryan Rottenbiller, WF 6-2, 7-5; Matt Harris, WF def. Alex Powers, BC 6-3, 6-3.

Finals - Hatzell def. Harris 6-1, 6-1.

Consolation final - Powers def. Rottenbiller 6-0, 6-4.