ST. GEORGE — Region 9’s boys tennis teams began their regular season schedule this week, with Dixie, Snow Canyon and Crimson Cliffs all picking up victories.
On Wednesday afternoon, Dixie hosted the Pine View Panthers, with the Flyers winning all five varsity matches in straight sets.
The Flyers, last year’s 4A state champions, are looking to defend their title with a core contingent of six seniors and one junior.
In first singles, Dixie senior Gavin Bishop defeated Pine View sophomore Mason Hardman, 6-0, 6-0. In second singles, senior Ty Durst defeated Pine View senior Antonio Perez, 6-4, 6-2. And in third singles, Dixie junior Lincoln Crooks defeated Pine View sophomore Andrew Christenson, 6-0, 6-1.
In first doubles, Dixie’s Garrett Bishop and Michael Winward defeated the Pine View duo of Kaden Wilcox and Zach Hansen, 7-6 (7-2), 6-2. And in second doubles, Dixie’s Austin Beckstrom and Brendon Madrid defeated Pine View’s Caleb Schmitt and Preston Salley.
Dixie faced a tough test the following afternoon when they hosted American Fork in a nonregion match on Thursday. The Cavemen prevailed 3-2, with Dixie’s wins coming in first singles and second doubles.
Thursday also saw two other Region 9 season openers, one of which was the Snow Canyon Warriors’ 4-1 victory over the Hurricane Tigers at Hurricane. Snow Canyon’s only loss came in second doubles, when Hurricane seniors Stockton Neibert and Riley Ducrest defeated Snow Canyon seniors Nate Wamsley and Luke Labrum, 6-4, 7-5. The only match to go three sets was in third singles, when Snow Canyon junior Matt Dunkley prevailed over Hurricane junior Mathison Beatty, 6-4, 3-6, 6-0.
And in a closely fought battle, Crimson Cliffs won on the road at Desert Hills on Thursday, defeating the Thunder 3-2. Crimson’s Miner brothers, senior Max and sophomore Adam, picked up straight-set wins in first and second singles, respectively. Both Miners are reigning individual state champions, helping the Mustangs to a second-place finish at state last year.
The Mustangs’ third win on Thursday came in second doubles, where Ethan Mathews and Tanner Matheson outlasted the Thunder’s McKay Soliai and Bode Hafen, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Desert Hills sophomore Brenan Holman won the No. 3 singles match in straight sets over Crimson sophomore Hayden Owen. The Thunder also captured the No. 1 doubles win, with William Gardner and Tyson Wilkins prevailing over Noah Hoff and John Haller, 6-1, 6-3.
Throughout April, each of the seven Region 9 teams will play a total of six regular season head-to-head matches against region opponents, with the contests being staged mostly on Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 25. Additionally, most of the Region 9 teams will continue to play in various weekend tournaments and nonregion contests.
Once the regular season is completed, the Region 9 championships will take place May 2-3 at Tonaquint Park in St. George.
The 4A state tournament will then be staged the following weekend, with the preliminary rounds taking place on May 9 at Brighton High School, followed by the final two days at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.
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