Clear courts at Grouse Mountain have made way for outside practices for Whitefish High School tennis teams this spring, but that’s just one of many good omens of a mighty season to come.  

The girls have reloaded a deep roster after a momentous 2024. Last season the girls went 13-2 in duals, won divisionals and qualified six girls for state.  

Under veteran coach Pat Dryden’s leadership, the 2025 team has grown even more.  

The roster is so deep, in fact, that some former varsity players have shuffled to junior varsity. Between experienced upperclassmen and uber talented freshmen coming on, and the girls will be fielding competition against each other.  

In total, there’s only three seniors of the 28 on the roster, which Dryden said is “almost too many, but we’ll make it work.” 

The depth will equate to a lot of dual match victories. Otherwise, and unlike sports like football, a loaded roster in tennis isn’t always rewarded.  

The format of the game “lends itself to superstars,” Dryden said.  

Four looking to be one of those superstars leading the team are seniors Zoey Marzo and Maggie Mercer and junior Camry Kelch in doubles, and sophomore Liesl Brust in singles.  

But “it doesn’t take a math genius to know three doesn’t work,” Dryden joked. Other contenders who may look to step up for varsity doubles may be senior Gretel Vine, junior Aubrey Talbot or freshman Emy Hanson.  

Also on singles may be freshman Allie Shors, followed by a “real battle” on the line up, possibly between sophomores Lucy Marzo and Delila Vine and junior Ainsley Grub.  

The team will have phenomenal leadership in three-time captain Marzo, along with Mercer.  

“These two have taken care of so much and they’ve really stepped up,” Dryden said. 

Pointing to a logo on his Whitefish tennis hoodie, he said, “this is a Zoey Marzo original.”  

Whitefish local Katie Fyall, who was a state champion doubles player in 2016, will be on board as assistant coach.  

“It’s fun having her on the court again,” Dryden said. “I’m going, oh yeah, I remember this. The girl that doesn’t make any mistakes.” 

    Whitefish's Maggie Mercer hits a return in a girls doubles match with teammate Ainsley Scott against Lewistown's Lexi Breidenbach and Lauren Plagenz at the Class A State Tennis Tournament at FVCC on Thursday, May 13, 2024. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider