Griz sweep doubleheader against Whitworth

Saturday, February 22

Missoula, Mont.

10:30 AM

Montana

Whitworth

2/22/2020 7:06:00 PM | Men's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana men's tennis team took care of business in its home opener, posting a pair of 7-0 shutout victories over Whitworth University in a Saturday doubleheader at the Peak Racquet Club in Missoula.

The Griz improved to 6-3 on the season with the two wins and were efficient in getting there, not dropping a set to the Pirates in either match. The victories also give Montana a head of steam, now riding a five-match win streak into Big Sky Conference play.

"The energy was good today, and we came out and put on a professional effort," said head coach Jason Brown. "We expected a battle in spots, and I think they gave it to us. But overall, I'm really happy with the level the guys are playing at going into conference."

Montana continued to dominate the doubles round, earning the crucial opening team point in both matches to extend the team's run to an unprecedented eight-straight matches.

Brown also used the doubleheader opportunity to shuffle the decks, putting the bulk of his roster into action for the first time this season, giving sophomore Jack Yount and freshman Josh Watkins their first official appearance in the team's lineup. Both impressed as well, picking up a win as a doubles pair, and each taking singles wins to earn the first victories of their respective careers.

"Getting them their first taste in the real, dual match lineup – which is so much different from the fall or exhibition matches – is vitally important. We don't have a ton of depth in terms of numbers we carry, so they could play a pivotal role in the season, and it's great we get to prepare them for that," Brown added.

Gallery: (2/22/2020) MTEN: vs Whitworth 2.22.20

Montana started the day strong in the opening match with a sweep of the doubles round to build a 1-0 overall lead. Milo Benn and Pontus Hallgren blanked Whitworth's Brewer/Bethards pair 6-0, while sophomores Ed Pudney and Oisin Shaffrey continued to roll on court one this season with a 6-2 win, and seniors Korkh and Ludvig Hallgren also cruised 6-2.

In the singles round, Shaffrey kept the pedal down to shut out Ben Bethards in straight sets (6-0, 6-0) on court four as the rest of the Griz pulled away for straight-sets victories.

Shaffrey has been on a tear of late, posting a shutout in five of his previous eight sets of tennis – a run that also includes a Big Sky Player of the Week honor and another undefeated weekend.

Fellow sophomore Ed Pudney continued to impress on court three with a comfortable 6-0, 6-1 win, proving again to be one of the team's top performers.

Montana kept the momentum in the second match of the day, once again taking the doubles round to make it eight-straight, and breezing through the singles despite the change in the lineup.

Ludvig Hallgren picked up his second win of the season on court one with strong 6-0, 6-1 performance, while Max Korkh held off a comeback attempt from Missoula native and Sentinel grad Ethan Violette on court two for a 6-1, 6-4 win.

Pontus Hallgren improved to 6-0 this season with a 6-1, 6-1 win on court four, while Shaffrey moved up to court three to collect another win.

After two weeks of tune-up matches, Montana now turns its full attention to making a run at the Big Sky tournament and is in a good position to do so.

The Griz start the league schedule on March 7 against Northern Colorado and March 8 against Portland State at home before facing Montana State on March 15 for the Brawl of the Wild point in Missoula.