Boys tennis stacked with athletic talent
<p>Noah Roalson is one of a few freshman who could make some noise on the Whitefish High School boys varsity tennis team this spring. The team practiced Monday on the courts at Riverside Park.</p>
What the Bulldog boys tennis team lacks in veteran experience should be made up with in natural athletic talent.
About 18 boys came out for the first week of practice, fourth-year coach Chris Schwaderer estimated. Five are returning letter winners and only one is a senior.
Schwaderer was a little concerned going into the season after losing eight seniors, and a few All-State players to graduation.
“But I’ve been pleasantly surprised,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of experience, but we have good athletes.”
Logan Blades, Hayden Eaton, Bailey Jack, Sean Janni and Holden Roberts will lead the team as returning starters.
Schwaderer is excited about the potentially lethal No. 1 and No. 2 combo of juniors Blades and Roberts.
“They’re bigger, faster and stronger, and their skills have really developed,” Schwaderer said. “They crush the ball. They’ve become really good tennis players.”
Janni, a senior, put in time on the court this past winter and looks strong.
“He’s a good athlete and is super quick,” Schwaderer said.
The team already has a few days on the hard courts at Riverside Park, which is more than they’ve had in recent years. The valley snow pack melted early and the courts have remained mostly dry.
With a team full of novice players, now is the time to develop skills, Schwaderer said.
“This is the kind of the team that will get better with time,” he said. “So many have so much potential. It’s a good base to build upon.”
Whitefish opens the season with a dual at Columbia Falls on March 28.