ST. GEORGE – With the wrap-up of local competition, Region 9’s girls tennis teams are prepared for the toughest competition yet: the state tournament.
The regional tournament, held Friday and Saturday at the Green Valley Spa in St. George, was defined by close matches that challenged players’ mental and physical resolve, many lasting over three hours. Only the top five seeds in each varsity position (1st, 2nd and 3rd singles and 1st and 2nd doubles) advanced out of a region filled with athletic talent.
Led by two-time state champion Lacey Hancock, Pine View captured the top seed in 1st, 2nd and 3rd singles, while Desert Hills was victorious in 1st and 2nd doubles. Both Dixie and Snow Canyon put forth an admirable effort to earn a seed in every position. The Hurricane and Canyon View teams provided a few wild cards to complete the roster. Cedar did not qualify in any position.
“Everyone played well,” Cedar coach and Region 9 chairman Jeremiah Sullivan said. “It was fun to watch.”
Results
1st singles
- Lacey Hancock (Pine View)
- Franchesca Eklund (Snow Canyon)
- Kenedi Cooper (Dixie)
- Maddie Barton (Desert Hills)
- Karina Ashdown (Canyon View)
2nd singles
- Hannah Erekson (Pine View)
- Bergen Nelson (Snow Canyon)
- Lily Hemenway (Desert Hills)
- Shellbe Watson (Dixie)
- Shayde Williams (Hurricane)
3rd singles
- Hattie Erekson (Pine View)
- Sheridan Kimball (Desert Hills)
- Amy Jensen (Dixie)
- Emily Brough (Snow Canyon)
- Megan Delaigle (Canyon View)
1st doubles
- Taylor Cooney/Madz Eames (Desert Hills)
- Madison Farish/Paige Maag (Hurricane)
- Jill Boyce/Amanda Lindsey (Snow Canyon)
- Keri Jeppson/Shaylynn Riddle (Pine View)
- Savannah Topham/Kelli Stovall (Dixie)
2nd doubles
- Maddi Black/Paige Harris (Desert Hills)
- Savannah Ream/Moriah Spainhower (Dixie)
- Emily Wilson/Sarah Wilson (Hurricane)
- Camie Nelson/Hailey Gafa (Pine View)
- Talleigh Frazier/Brielle Nielson (Snow Canyon)
Next up is the season’s final face-off, the 3A state championship on Oct. 11-12 at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City. Local players will face competition from schools like 2011 and 2012 winner Judge Memorial and last year’s runner-up, Park City.
However, Region 9 teams may be playing with their best odds in a while this season. Pine View, currently undefeated, has been dominant in singles (Hancock is a heavy favorite to take her third consecutive title) and Desert Hills, known for solid doubles teams, is expected to continue the trend.
That’s not to say other qualifiers should be counted out, though, as tennis is a notoriously unpredictable sport.
“It’s been a really good season,” Snow Canyon 1st singles Franchesca Eklund said. “I’m excited to go to state.”
For more on the state championship, visit the Utah High School Activities Association’s website.
Related posts
- Girls tennis: PV undefeated as teams prep for region tourney
- Girls tennis: Season opens with fresh faces, returning champions battling it out
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