Epic comebacks highlight Libby tennis matches

Facing the brink of defeat against the state’s reigning sixth-place doubles team, Libby’s Jason Schnackenberg and Cody Wood fought back.

Four days after comfortably defeating Bigfork’s Isaac Martel and Adam Jordt at home, Libby’s top doubles team traveled to Bigfork for a rematch. Down 2-5 (0-40) in the deciding third set, Schnackenberg and Wood began an improbable rally that ultimately led to a 6-3, 3-6, 10-8 victory.

“That was a whole other match compared to the one at home,” Libby Coach Kyle Hannah said. “Coming back from triple-match point was really exciting. I was proud that they stuck together and came back.”

Schnackenberg, a senior, and Wood, a freshman, have been a sensation since pairing halfway into the season. Hannah said the two work well together, with Schnackenberg serving as a second coach on the court. The connection is also familial — Wood and Schnackenberg are cousins.

While it was not easy for everyone, Libby’s boys had their way with Bigfork.

Hannah said top singles player Jason Brant played the match of his life when he came back to defeat Kyle Thomson, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2. Colin Maloney and Adam Kirschenmann, on the other hand, cruised to singles victories.

On the girls end, Kaylene Hudson won the top girls match, while Katie Alspaw won No. 4 singles.

“Katie is really coming into her own,” Hannah said. “For as young and inexperienced as we are, the kids are really making leaps and bounds well beyond what I expected. I’m very excited about the kids’ progress.”

Libby hosts Polson and Whitefish at noon Saturday.

Boys

Libby 5, Bigfork 2

Singles – Jason Brant, L, def. Kyle Thomson, 4-6, 7-5, 6-2; Colin Maloney, L, def. Jorge Zavala, 6-0, 6-2; Adam Kirschenmann, L, def. Mack Paine, 6-2, 6-2; Kody Bailey, L, def. Noah VanQueckleberg, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles – Jason Schnackenberg/Cody Wood, L, def. Isaac Martel/Adam Jordt, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8; Ben Russell/George Gibson, B, def. Gabe Peck/Ryan Nagle, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-0; Zack Hider/Gus DiPaulo, B, def. Raymond Sadewasser/Rayson Arnold, 6-3, 6-3.

Girls

Bigfork 4, Libby 3

Singles – Kaylene Hudson, L, def. Kalia Wicklund, 6-3, 6-3; Lana Berg, B, def. Melanie Oedewaldt, 6-3, 6-2; Genovieve Gibson, B, def. Sarah McBride, 6-2, 6-1; Katie Alspaw, L, def. Alex Hider, 6-4, 6-4.

Doubles – Alanis Stallknecht/Brooke Bonner, B, def. McKenzie Cosgriff/Jenna Barrick, 6-0, 6-0; Alauna Weilacher/Kayla Caslegno, B, def. Cloie Boardner/Dani Hawthorne, 6-1, 6-2; Alasandra Buckner/Joelina Lawrence, L, def. Cassandra Butterfield/Carly Park, 6-2, 6-2.