WHS girls reload after an incredible 5-year stretch

Three-time state champ Paulson has graduated, but Lady Bulldogs do return some quality players

Whitefish High School girls tennis coach Patrick Dryden returns for his 10th season, looking to replicate the Lady Bulldogs' stellar results from recent years.

Doing so won't be easy as the Lady Bulldogs won the Western A for the third consecutive season last year, finishing second at state behind Havre to capture a state trophy for the fifth straight season.

"We've had a pretty good run, but we've lost our big guns," Dryden said.

That may be an understatement. Danni Paulson went 77-0 and won three state championships in her Whitefish career. She now plays for the University of Montana.

"You just don't replace people like that," Dryden said.

All told, the Lady Bulldogs graduated eight seniors from last year, including Taylor Beach, who competed at state three times.

"It was a pretty amazing group," Dryden said.

But plenty of talent remains in the fold, including junior Brielle Menegazzi, who competed at state the last two years. Senior Kate Whitaker placed second with Beach in doubles at last year's divisionals and helped her win multiple matches at state.

According to Dryden, sophomore Mariah Driscoll "really came on last year, almost made it to state" before she was eliminated by Menegazzi.

Dryden said senior Kimberly McIntyre put in the most work over the winter. She will begin the spring playing doubles with Whitaker.

Dryden is excited by the potential of sophomores McCara Cullen and Kate Klundt - multi-sport athletes - as well as a trio of seniors who came out for tennis for the first time this year.

"I think they're going to help us," Dryden said. "They've got some pretty good skills."

Dryden said the Lady Bulldogs will have plenty of speed and intensity, but his mindset and expectations are completely different from past seasons.

Dryden expects Polson and Libby to contend for the divisional title, but hopes his girls are in the mix.

"A trophy at state is totally unrealistic, and that's not even one of our goals," Dryden said.

Kathy Cummings returns for her second season as Whitefish's head boys coach. The Bulldogs appear poised for a remarkable season after capturing a Western A title last spring and tying Bigfork for fifth place at the state tournament.

The Bulldogs must replace two seniors who placed fourth in doubles at state last year, but they are loaded with standout juniors and sophomores, as well as senior Scott Johnson.

Sophomore Matt Harris and junior Ryan Rottenbiller highlight a deep corps of singles players.

According to Cummings, the Bulldogs' doubles lineup is not set, but juniors Kyle Jacobson and Brendon Biscomi return as strong candidates for the top slot.

"We have a very strong team," Cummings said. "It should be a strong season, barring any injuries.

"I like the depth."

Cummings said she is still evaluating her squad in its first full week on the court. She expects Bigfork and Libby to be top challengers in the division.

Bigfork

Bigfork will be led by two familiar faces this spring.

Legendary coach Paul Wallin returns to the program he led to state prominence, teaming with Matt Porrovecchio, who guided it last year.

A Bigfork alumnus, Porrovecchio played under Wallin from 1992-94. He can't wait to coach with him.

"That was my whole reason for coaching again this year," said Porrovecchio, who is working toward a master's degree. "I was going to take the year off."

The Vikings tied Western A rival Whitefish for fifth place at state last year, while the Valkyries collected three points at state, thanks to Trisha Smith's strong singles performance.

Senior Breanna Hughes assumes the Valkyries' No. 1 ladder ranking, followed by sophomores Roxy Thurman and Quindee Averill.

Thurman and Averill look to provide Bigfork with a solid doubles tandem, as will freshmen Jade Bosic and Kelly Deaton.

Senior Cassie Keller and sophomores Nicolette Peterson and Jennifer Wirth will figure heavily in the Valkyries' fortunes as well.

Seniors Owen Roberts and Kainoa Lake will be the Vikings' top singles players, and Porrovecchio anticipates them playing doubles together, too.

Sophomore Scott Taylor and senior foreign exchange student Javier Guevara are jelling into a formidable doubles unit.

Seniors Dylan Richmond and Travis Boughton and juniors Tyler Sabo and Tyler Butts will contribute heavily as well.

"Our boys team is going to be, by far, the stronger of the two, just because of time on the court," Porrovecchio said. "They have a lot of high school tennis experience.

"Our girls group is young and, potentially, equally talented. It's just they're new."

Porrovecchio expects the Valkyries, who have 26 athletes, to focus on skill development early before making a strong showing later in the season.

Porrovecchio said both Bigfork squads are a pleasure to mentor.

"They're just a really good group of kids all the way around," Porrovecchio said. "They just seem like a group of hard-working kids, who want to be together and like playing tennis."

Columbia Falls

The Wildkats took fourth at divisionals last year, and 12th-year coach Jerry Smalley now looks to develop their young talent while helping them improve upon last season's finish.

Smalley's task will be tough, however, as the Wildkats must replace three-time state qualifier Kate Marcille, as well as last year's No. 1 singles player Emily Emmert.

The Wildkats return four letter winners: junior Sarah Marcille and seniors Chelsea Wilson, Carrie Hopkins and Jessica Ferretti.

"We're going to be very, very thin," Smalley said.

Columbia Falls has 29 girls in its program and is still looking for athletes who can help its varsity. But the cupboard isn't bare.

Sarah Marcille qualified for state the last two years while playing doubles with her sister, Kate. She becomes one of the Wildkats' top singles players this spring.

Senior Michelle Cronquist didn't letter last year, but she gives Columbia Falls another experienced athlete, along with sophomores Shelby Hobbs, Lydia Freeman and Laura Burgie.

"Our expectations and our goal is to get as many kids as possible into a position to qualify for state," Smalley said. "The kids that go to state are very often the kids that take lessons year-round. The more time kids spend playing tennis, generally the better they get."

Smalley plans to bring the younger Wildkats along by instilling them with sound fundamentals, hoping a few of them will step forward and contribute at the varsity level.

According to Smalley, this season's Western A divisionals will be a wild ride with no clear favorites and plenty of up-and-coming programs, including Libby and Eureka.

"I think the goodies are going to be spread out at divisionals," Smalley said. "There's no way I'd make a prediction."

Gary Yee becomes the Wildcats' head coach in his fourth year at Columbia Falls. The young Wildcats program struggled last year, but returns seven varsity players.

Sophomore Grant Getts begins the season as the Wildcats' No. 1 singles player after a strong showing at divisionals a year ago.

"He's athletic, he's got focus, and he hits the ball very cleanly," Yee said.

Junior Cody Maynard is a tireless worker and outstanding singles player, giving Columbia Falls a strong 1-2 punch atop its lineup.

Junior Scott Hopkins and sophomore Billy Garcia assume the Wildcats' top doubles spot after gaining experience together last spring.

"They work pretty well together," Yee said. "(They have) pretty even temperaments. They compliment one-another very well."

Yee expects the Wildcats to be stronger across the board than they were last season.

"My goal is for them to be more competitive in the division than they were last year, especially being a new program," said Yee, who hopes to send a couple athletes to state.

The Wildcats are loaded with talented sophomores.

"They're going to add a little bit of depth to the program," Yee said. "I get to work with them a few years."

Eureka

Eureka, which does not have a boys program, moves up from Class B, playing its first and only Western A season.

The Lady Lions return to Class B next year, rendering this spring a fleeting opportunity, which should challenge and strengthen coach Dave Loy's athletes.

Libby

Kyle Hannah is back for his second season as head coach, leading a hungry group of boys and girls who look to continue their progress displayed last spring.

"They improved from the year before," said Hannah of last year's teams. "That was our major goal of the year and we accomplished that. Hopefully this year we're going to compete and improve even more."

Hannah is understandably excited for the future of the Loggers and Lady Loggers alike.

Steven Hauck returns as the Loggers' most experienced player. The junior looks to have a strong singles season after playing doubles last year.

"He's really worked hard in the offseason, and he's become more competitive, and he's pretty hungry this year," Hannah said. "He wants to do well, and he's becoming a team leader as a junior."

Senior Tiffany Casey was the Lady Loggers' No. 1 singles player last season. She returns, looking to reclaim that role despite a competitive group of young singles players.

"This is her fourth season, and she's pretty dedicated to the program," Hannah said.

According to Hannah, Libby has plenty of freshman and sophomore boys and girls who should be exciting to watch as the season unfolds.

Hannah expects his boys to "just go out and compete and do their best," against a loaded Western A division, including Whitefish.

Libby's boys might not be ready to win right away, but Hannah said his girls should be very competitive.

"They're going to have to play their top game, and if they do, I think they'll surprise some people and be competitive," Hannah said.

Polson

The Pirates and Lady Pirates both took second to Whitefish in the Western A last year, and the girls finished fourth at state.

Both squads should again be divisional contenders, but 16th-year head coach Bob Hislop must replace nine varsity boys.

"We're really, really green," Hislop said.

The Pirates lose Andy Dykstra, who took third in state singles last season, as well as standouts Brett Vandeberg and Derrick Roberts.

Senior Jake Grebetz came within one match of state last year. He is Polson's only returning varsity player.

"He's a pretty nice player," said Hislop, who isn't sure whether Grebetz will play doubles or singles this spring.

All nine of Grebetz' new teammates will be underclassmen, including freshman Karsten Erickson, who owns plenty of tournament experience.

"He'll be a solid player this year, and in the future I expect him to be a good player in the division, and down the road a state contender," Hislop said.

There may be frustrating moments, but Hislop is nonetheless excited to work with his young boys.

"It'll be a fun year, actually, just to work with them and develop," Hislop said. "I don't know if we're going to win any dual matches or anything, but it will be fun.

"We'll just try to improve as the year goes, and hopefully over the next few years we'll get back near the top of the division."

Hislop also loses an "outstanding all-around athlete," on the girls side in Jenn Orchard. Orchard finished second to graduated Whitefish sensation Danni Paulson at divisionals and state last season, and now plays golf and basketball at Rocky Mountain College.

The Lady Pirates also lose Emily Fors, who won a divisional doubles championship and finished fifth at state with returning junior Malika Erickson.

Erickson will again play doubles, this time partnering with Cali Hislop, who got within one match of state a year ago.

"She's the best player on our team, but really has an affection for doubles," Bob Hislop said of Erickson.

Senior Emily Pyles and junior Mattea York will battle for Polson's No. 1 singles slot, and senior Kelsie Delaney is back as a valuable, versatile performer.

Hislop said 12 talented freshmen will battle for spots in the Lady Pirate lineup. He added that Polson will be top heavy to begin the season, but it can compete at the state level if the bottom half of its lineup comes on strong.

"The top five kids have done tons and tons of offseason work," Hislop said. "They're all phenomenal students, and they're ready to go."

Ronan

The Maidens have the numbers and experience to field a solid program in Southern A play.

Coach Gordon Cummings, heading into his fifth season, has 15 girls out. Nine of them played last year.

"We're looking to put together a real strong team this year," he said.

"We're ready to go, to have a good season."

Senior Amanda Courville, sophomore Britney Courville and senior Jenna Rody give the Maidens three talented singles player. Rody has lettered the last three years.

Seniors Chazz West and Leslie Morigeau will play No. 1 doubles. Morigeau played singles last year while West was in doubles.

Cummings, however, has just five boys out, led by senior Kyle Orr. This is Orr's third-year in the program.

Orr was one match away from qualifying for state a year ago.

The other veteran is junior Ryan Hesselgesser.

"They have worked hard all summer," Cummings said.

"They have really improved their ground strokes."