Libby, Whitefish netters split

WHITEFISH - Libby won at No. 1 singles - Kaya Hardgrove - and doubles - Kyla O'Brien and Allissa Buti - but Whitefish claimed three wins in singles play and at No. 3 doubles to escape with a 4-3 Northwestern A dual tennis win on Thursday.

"The last two matches of the day were two and three singles," Whitefish coach Patrick Dryden said.

"Sloan Ellis survived three-match points to win. That was pretty exciting. It was a seesaw match. They were out there for almost two hours."

Ellis defeated Libby's Chelsea Ahart 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 at No. 2 singles.

Laura Turco of Whitefish also won a wild one at No. 3 singles, 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (10-8) over Kira Rose.

"Libby played really well in doubles," Dryden said.

"It was a real lesson for our girls. They (Loggers) definitely controlled the net."

Hannah Sullivan and Tana Wilson posted an easy win at No. 2 doubles for the Loggers.

Whitefish hosts Stevensville and Hamilton on Saturday.

SINGLES - Kaya Hardgrove, L, def. Caroline Carbo 6-4, 6-2; Sloan Ellis, W, def. Chelsea Ahart 6-3, 4-6, 7-5; Laura Turco, W, def. Kira Rose 7-5 1-6, 7-6 (10-8); McKenzie Thomas, W, def. Shaelin Jenson 8-2.

DOUBLES - Kyla O'Brien/Allissa Buti, L, def. Meghan Danczyk/Lindsey Viscomi 7-5, 6-2; Hannah Sullivan/Tana Wilson, L, def. Ryan Chauner/Haley Craven 6-2, 6-3; Maggie Frankino/Anna Carpenter, W, def. Shaelin Jenson/Mariah Briskin 6-0, 6-2.

Boys

Libby 4, Whitefish 3

Libby dominated singles play with wins at Nos. 2-3-4 and added a dual-deciding victory at No. 3 doubles to sneak away with a Northwestern A win.

"Libby had what they needed and pulled it out," Whitefish coach Chris Schwaderer said.

"Both squads are young."

Whitefish came away with impressive wins at Nos. 1-2 doubles.

"They looked really good," Schwaderer said.

"They had good chemistry, played well, communicated well. I'm very encouraged."

Schwaderer also singled out the effort turned in by Kolter Larson at No. 4 singles. He won 6-0, 6-3.

"First varsity experience for him, and to get a win, he was pretty thrilled with that," Schwaderer said.

Libby's Alex Cislo continues to enjoy a successful spring, winning 6-2, 6-3 at No. 1 singles.

Whitefish hosts Stevensville and Hamilton on Saturday.

SINGLES - Alex Cislo, L, def. Jake Morison, 6-2, 6-3; Cree Maloney, L, def. Camp Kenyon, 6-2, 6-0; Jason Schnackenberg, L, def. Skylar Munzing, 6-4, 6-1; Kolter Larsen, W, def. Adam Kirschenmann, 6-0, 6-3.

DOUBLES - Connor Ellis/Austin Sattler, W, def. Crawford Dinning/Lane Luscher, 6-2, 6-2; Casey Beiser/Logan Blades, W, def. Ian Myslicki/Dan Leggins, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2; Nick Alspaw/Rob Hamilton, L, def. Holden Roberts/Hans Munzing, 6-0, 6-2.