Polson sets sights on tennis repeat

Coming off of a state championship, the Polson boys tennis team will look to return to the top in 2024 with a new look squad.

The Pirates boys return five strong starters from last season's roster, but lose the state doubles champions and another doubles placer.

Despite the turnover head coach Bob Hislop believes his team will be a top contender in a deep Western A field.

“Whitefish will be a formidable team with a lot of depth,” Hislop said. “Libby has one of the best singles players in the state.”

Leading Polson is state stings runner up from last spring Torrin Ellis.

“He is much improved,” Hislop said. “The competition in A singles is going to be very tough, but he is bigger and stronger which helps his game.”

Sophomore Ruger Ellis — Torrin’s brother — also returns for Polson.

On the doubles side the Pirates welcome the return of Tate Barentsen, though he is looking for a new partner after Colter Wilson graduated last spring after the duo's fifth-place finish.

Otto Lund — a member of the Polson state championship golf team — and Brock Hendricksen look to bolster the doubles roster.

Up in Whitefish, the Bulldog boys look to return to their successful ways after an off year in 2023.

“We have got a really good team coming back, it's kind of exciting,” head coach Chris Schwaderer said. “ We have four seniors committed to the program and they are hoping it's their year.”

Headlining is the doubles pairing of Mason Kelch and Dane Hunt, who brought home a third- place finish from the state tournament last year. 

“They are a super competitive duo for doubles,” Schwaderer said. “The way they finished last year lit a fire under them.”

Jesse Burrough also returns; he and double teammate Buren Brust also expect to make an impact. Schwaderer believes both teams are equal in terms of talent.

On the singles side, Jack Ulerich leads the Bulldogs after a year where no players qualified for the state tournament.

Down the road in Columbia Falls, the Wildcats feature a squad with a lot of room to grow.

“I'm really excited about this year's team,” coach Michele Colliander said. “They are a good group of kids and fun to work with.”

The trio of Logan Heupel, Will Pickard and Jax Ramage lead the Wildcats. 

“Those three would love to make it to state,” Colliander said. “With the depth that the Northwest A has, they haven’t made it yet.”

Colliander said he is still figuring out who will play singles and doubles.

Libby features junior Ryan Beagle, who finished third at the state tournament last season.

The Polson girls team lost six members of their second-place state tournament team from 2023, including singles state champion Clara Todd.

Two-time doubles state placer Katie Smith returns, but to return to the podium in 2024 she’ll need a new doubles partner after Lucy Violett graduated.

“With so many new kids in varsity we don't know what we are going to do with the lineup,” Polson coach Bob Hislop said. One returnee is Julia Bernard, another doubles state placer that is expected to stay in doubles for 2024.

On the singles side state qualifier Summer Newman returns, looking to fill in the gap left by Todd.

“The biggest thing is developing the youth to get back (to state),” Hislop said. “The returners will help.”

In Whitefish, the Bulldogs are coming off of a difficult season in 2023, but this spring could be a different story, coach Patrick Dryden said.

“Unless you're the Alabama football team you have peaks and valleys, and last year was our valley,” Dryden said. “We only have two seniors, but our peak is a couple of seasons away. We have got some good kids coming up from eighth grade next year.”

Fifteen girls are in the running for varsity spots, headlined by senior Olivia Lusko, who is coming off an injury that hindered her in 2023.

The doubles partnership of Maggie Mercer and Ainsley Scott also return for the Bulldogs after an appearance at state last spring.

A trio of freshmen look to make their mark on the roster as well: Liesl Brust, Delila Vine and Lucy Marzo.

Dryden noted that his roster may not be quite to the same level as Polson and other top Class A contenders, but they will be a factor this spring.

Over in Columbia Falls, a young roster prepares for the new season after eight seniors graduated from last year's squad.

“We had spent four years building up with those seniors,” Colliander said. “To see them launch into the world is nice, but we get to start that cycle again.”

Lexi Obeholtzer leads the WildKats in 2024 after coming up just one set short of the state tournament last year. Alliyah Arends joins Oberholtzer in singles play.

On the doubles side Lucie Love and Fiona Bryant make the transition over for the new season.

“We have a lot of newcomers to tennis this year, which I love,” Colliander said. “Everybody is right there at the same level now.”