Lady Dogs scratch their way to victory

It’s not often you hear the crowd erupt at a mid-season prep tennis match, but Thursday’s epic dual with Polson offered up plenty of drama to get excited about.

Whitefish’s girls tennis team scratched their way to 5-2 victory against the defending state champs, coming from behind in four matches to get their first win over the Pirates in years. By the time the final match wrapped up, the teams had clocked five hours of battle at the net.

Coach Patrick Dryden said the win has a lot to do with the Lady Bulldogs’ mental toughness.

“Their confidence is on the rise,” Dryden said. “Polson came after us in the beginning, hitting bullets at us. We withstood the challenge and fought our way back.”

“We want to test the kids and put them in difficult situations.”

Kendall Sattler and Haley Craven teamed up to get a huge win at No. 2 doubles.

Down 2-3 in the final set, the duo took control of the match. Sattler owned the net with her powerful slams while Craven managed the baseline like a veteran.

“They have contrasting styles,” Dryden said. “Haley is really accurate and places the ball well. Kendall has a lot of power at the net.”

The duo won their match 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Megan Danczyk and Lindsay Viscomi knocked off Polson’s No. 1 team for the second time this season to help secure a top seed at the divisional tourney. They came back from a first set loss to win 3-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Sloan Ellis got the crowd going with her victory at No. 2 singles in an epic three-set battle with Shannon Oakley. Ellis dropped a long first set, but clawed her way back, winning 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-5.

“Sloan has had some heartbreaking losses this season,” Dryden said. “This win should be a big boost to her morale.”

Lauren Cain and Caroline Carbo won at No. 3 doubles in another three set battle 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, while Anna Peterson won at No. 4 singles 1-6, 6-2, 1-0 (12-10).

Whitefish won all five of the dual’s three-set matches.

“I feel like we’re coming together as a team,” Dryden said. “It’s a strange team sport, but I like the camaraderie we’re getting. The kids are really pulling for each other.”

Whitefish is at Libby on Saturday.

Whitefish 5, Polson 2

Singles — Whitney Zimmerman, P, def. Ryan Chauner, 6-1, 6-3; Sloan Ellis, WF, def. Shannon Oakley, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-5; Taylor Rost, P, def. Katie Fyall, 6-3, 6-3; Anna Peterson, WF, def. Peyton Anderson, 1-6, 6-2, 1-0 (12-10)

Doubles — Megan Danzyck/Lindsey Viscomi, WF, def. Mollybeth Hendrix/Karly Rochin, 3-6, 6-2, 7-5; Kendall Sattler/Haley Craven, WF, def. Tegan Bauer/Libby Clay, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3; Lauren Cain/Caroline Carbo, WF, def. Shawna Oakley/Lauren Dupuis, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.