Griz to host Pirates in home opener doubleheader

The Montana men's tennis team returns to action this week after a two-plus week layoff, hosting Whitworth in a non-conference doubleheader at the PEAK Racquet Club in Missoula on Sunday, Feb. 21.

The Griz (1-4) last played on Jan. 30 in Las Vegas, where they faced a tough slate against Weber State, UNLV, and New Mexico State before having a doubleheader at Whitman on Feb. 13 canceled.

With another demanding trip to BYU and Utah up next and conference play on the horizon, the Grizzlies will now host the Pirates (0-3) in UM's home opener with an eye toward solidifying the lineup.

"The season has felt a little surreal to this point with a cancelation and so many matches on the road," said head coach Jason Brown.

"Now being back home, sleeping in our own beds, and playing on the courts where three of our four conference matches will happen is exciting. We get to go back to feeling the energy and nerves and everything that comes with playing, and we'll get after it."

The first match of the day Sunday is scheduled to start at 9 a.m., with serves in the second match of the doubleheader going up at 2 p.m.

ATTENDANCE AND COVERAGE: With the Missoula County Health Department easing indoor gathering limitations Thursday, a small amount of socially distanced seating will be available for fans. Entrance to the PEAK is free of charge.

Those not able to attend the matches can find links to live scoring at GoGriz.com.

THE BREAKDOWN: Matches have been at a premium for many college tennis teams this season, with COVID protocols limiting the action.

Montana, who was picked to win the Big Sky title race this season, is yet to find out how good it can be.

The Grizzlies' first road trip of the season in late January produced some promising results with a 6-1 upset over Grand Canyon and a competitive loss to Boise State that saw junior Ed Pudney take home Big Sky Player of the Week honors.

UM showed more promise in Vegas, falling by thin margins in two of its three matches but unable to secure a statement win.

Whitworth has also been searching for competition this season. The Pirates were initially slated to play in two doubleheaders during their trip to the Treasure State, but had Saturday's matches at Montana State canceled due to Covid protocols in Bozeman. Whitworth now comes to Missoula having dropped one match to cross-town rival Gonzaga and a pair of matches to Lewis-Clark State.

As the Griz prepare to compete against someone other than themselves for the first time in nearly a month, Montana turns the attention inward on its young squad to dial in the details before the business end of the season rolls around.

"We're treating this as the last opportunity to find out who fits in where," said Brown.

"Everyone in the lineup will get some singles and some doubles, so we'll get to figure things out moving forward on who our top three doubles teams and our top six singles guys are for the conference season. That's what this is all about."

With a mixture of youth and experience, the Griz are led by Pudney and fellow junior Oisin Shaffrey at the top of the lineup, with grad transfer Chase Bartlett the only senior on the squad.

Montana's three freshmen: Guillermo Martin, Sam Nicholson, and Moritz Stoeger, have each featured heavily in lineups so far this season, who are a combined 3-5 in singles and 5-3 in doubles action.

Brown will also put juniors Milo Benn, Pontus Hallgren, and Jack Yount to get in the mix this weekend, along with sophomore Josh Watkins as he solidifies the lineup for future matches.

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Players Mentioned

Chase Bartlett

Milo Benn

Pontus Hallgren

Guillermo Martin

Sam Nicholson

Ed Pudney

Oisin Shaffrey

Moritz Stoeger

Josh Watkins

Jack Yount

University of Montana Athletics