Tennis starts off season with four tournaments next week

Bigfork High School tennis opens their season on Monday with a packed week of tournaments.

The Vikings and Valkyries will travel to Whitefish on Monday, Mission on Tuesday, Loyola on Thursday and will host the Bigfork Flight Tournament on Saturday.

Around 30 athletes came out for tennis this year, including several returning players to keep an eye on.

On the boys side, doubles pairs Adam Jordt and Isaac Martel and George Gibson and Ben Russell are back. Both pairs played at state last year. Jordt and Martel placed third at state. 

Also returning are Kyle Thomson, Mack Paine and Gus DiPaulo, all of whom also played at state last year.

Coach Paul Sullivan said there are also some players who didn’t make it to state last year, that are showing promise for this year.

“Tyler Zavala has come out this year,” Sullivan said. “He’s looking great.”

Returning girls who made a trip to state last year include Brooke Bonner, Alauna Wilacher and Lana Berg. Sullivan said there are also girls returning who he expects will also see the state meet in Great Falls this year, including Kalia Wicklund, Karlee Park, Kassandra Butterfield and Julia Saunders.

In addition to returning athletes there is a promising contingent of newcomers for both the boys and girls.

“It’s exciting,” Sullivan said. “Lots of young kids, so you can kind of see the future of the program there.”

Boys freshmen Michael Bedford and Alex Beuenz are both showing promise.

“They’re really excited,” Sullivan said. “They’re playing hard and they’re improving fast.”

Girls freshman Jamie Berg and exchange student Sophie Hasselmeier are looking strong.

Coaches are still deciding on pairings for the girls. Bonner placed sixth at state last year in doubles. Her partner graduated.

Overall Sullivan said they are looking forward to the season.

“It’s going to be fun, it will be great for the kids,” he said.