Wolfpack, Braves tennis locked in for 2024 season

Retooled and recharged, the Glacier tennis teams plan to be a factor for a state championship in 2024.

The boys team finished second in 2023 and features a trio of seniors who could all bring home victories at May’s state tournament.

“Those three give us a real solid top end,” boys and girls head coach Josh Munro said. “Then we have three other guys who are very solid players, and should be near the top of the division.”

Leading the Pack singles team is Will Rudback, who battled to a fifth place finish at state last season after dropping his second round match.

Joining Rudbach in singles is Sam Engellant — who picked up a first round win at state last year — and Kutuk White, who barely missed out on the state tournament for the past two seasons.

“We lost 7-8 seniors, but the boys we got back are good,” Munro said. “They are very capable of taking the next level.”

The doubles side feels the loss of those seniors the most. as last year's state doubles champions Harrison Sanders and Timothy Glanville both exited in 2023.

Who will fill in that gap is yet to be seen and Munro said that setting his lineup will depend on their opponents pairings and who develops chemistry on the court together this season.

“It's a free-for-all right now,” Munro said. “We are trying to find the right mix.”

Look for returners Carl Bitney, Dalyn Mathison and Robby Thornburg to all play a part as the season continues.

Over at Flathead, the Braves return the majority of their 2023 squad looking to make their way to the state tournament in Bozeman.

“You don't have to reinvent the wheel as far as strategy goes,” boys and girls coach Travis Cattron said. “They know what to expect, it becomes more second nature.”

Cattron expects junior Holden Askvig to play a major role for the Braves this season either as the number one singles player, or potentially in doubles as needed.

Joining Askvig will be Kobe Schlegel — expected as another singles player — and Jack Thompson, who Cattron didn’t confirm as a singles or doubles player.

Along with experience, Flathead and Glacier take a home court advantage into the postseason in 2024 with divisional being held in Kalispell.

“Home advantage,” Cattron said.  You know the courts, the older ones play faster and newer ones the ball pops up more. The familiarity means that they don't have to sweat it about the venue, the home crowd is more friendly than on the road.”

GIRLS

As for the girls, Glacier returns virtually everyone from a squad that came up just one point short of a podium finish in 2023.

“They know they were close and they want to finish strong,” Munro said. “Our seniors are looking for their last hurrah in their high school sports career.”

Leading the team into the new season is the duo of Haven Speer and Sarah Downs — who came up just one match short of an undefeated season last spring, losing in the state championship.

Katy Bitney also plans to be a factor this season, though she will be playing with a new partner after the graduation of Collette Daniels. Currently Elise Strobel is filling the role, but Munro noted that may change.

On the singles side Munro says to be on the lookout for freshman Leilani Lennarz.

“She has a lot of raw talent but has not played a lot of matches,” Munro said. “She has the skills and we are hoping she will be in contention.”

At Flathead, the Bravettes retool after losing a large senior class.

“The good news is there is space for new players,” Cattron said. 

Junior Elle Westover is one player who he hopes can lead the team in 2024. 

“She had solid results as a freshman and sophomore,” Cattron said. “She is just coming into her own on the court.”

Joining Westover are a pair of freshmen — Sarah Loran and Azalea Bailey — who have shown talent through the first few weeks of practices.

“(Loran) has experience in the past,” Catron said. “She has played tournaments before, she should get up to speed really quick.

“(Bailey) has great physical talent, she has technique and is starting to develop into a solid player.”

Both Glacier and Flathead start their seasons Saturday at FVCC, with duals against the Helena schools beginning at noon.