Ellis, Kenyon headed to state
Whitefish’s top doubles team earned a
trip to the state Class A tennis tournament after battling through
a tough field last week at the divisional meet in Libby.
Connor Ellis and Camp Kenyon defeated
Polson’s Brady Hislop and Ian Laimbeer in the consolation match to
claim third place overall.
“They had a really good tournament,”
Whitefish coach Chris Schwaderer said.
Kenyon played at No. 2 singles most of
the season, but was teamed up with Ellis just prior to the
divisional tourney as Schwaderer looked to maximize the Bulldogs
chances to score points. The pairing, he says, is working out
nicely.
Kenyon brings a pure style to the court
with his fluid ground strokes, while Ellis is more of the
quarterback that dominates the net with scrappy play.
“They have good chemistry on the
court,” Schwaderer said. “I think they’re internalizing the doubles
philosophy.”
The duo travels to Great Falls this
week to play in the state Class A tournament. Schwaderer says if
they play to their potential, they have a chance to make some
noise.
As a team, Whitefish wrapped up
divisional in fourth place overall. Schwaderer commended Austin
Sattler’s and Casey Beiser’s play at doubles. The pair made it to
the play-in match for the consolation game, but fell to Whitefish’s
Kenyon and Ellis.
“It’s a shame they had to battle with
Whitefish’s No. 1 team to get into the consolation game,”
Schwaderer said. “They could have easily been one of the top-4
teams.”
On the singles side, Jake Morison
played some of his best tennis of the year in the early rounds,
Schwaderer said. Freshman Logan Blades ended up 2-2 overall and
gave divisional champ Cree Maloney all he could handle.
“At one point he had the lead,”
Schwaderer said. “He had no fear. He knew he was outmanned, but he
didn’t fold at all.”
Schwaderer said he was impressed with
how the entire team’s game evolved from March.
“It’s amazing to see what two months
can do,” he said. “It’s a great group that is fun to work
with.”