PROVO — The Desert Hills Thunder stormed into the state 3A tennis tournament and served notice that just because they're the new school on the block in their first year, they do not plan to roll over on the tennis courts.

As a matter of fact, the Thunder found themselves tied for first place in the team race after the first two rounds of competition, as they have 10 points and have yet to lose a single match. The Park City girls came out strong, too, also piling up 10 points to take their share of the tourney lead. Judge Memorial is also maintaining tradition and has only lost one match, garnering itself nine points.

But Desert Hills is making some noise in their first tournament together, but the girls themselves aren't new to state tennis tournaments. The Thunder siphoned off the top tennis talent from surrounding schools, mostly from Pine View and a few from Dixie.

First singles player from Desert Hills, Morgan Anderson, waltzed through her first two matches like the rest of the first singles favorites in the tournament, as she lost only two total games in those rounds. She will find herself taking on Park City's Ali McMahon in today's semifinals in what could give some idea of which team will have the advantage in the team competition.

Desert Hills' Melissa Cowles is the only senior on that tight-knit squad this year, and she was the only player that had a choice of whether to transfer to the new school or stay at Pine View.

She did transfer to Desert Hills because so many of her teammates and friends were required to go to the new school, and though she misses Pine View, she is happy with the transfer.

"It's nice to be on a team where everyone is such a good player. The season this year has been awesome, and the new girls (who came in from Dixie), have been great," said Cowles, who also noted that after moving from 4A last year to 3A this year, she believes the overall talent in 3A just might be better from top to bottom.

Ex-Dixie star Annie Davis is also new to the Desert Hills team, and she found herself in the semifinals at state after losing only two total games in her first two matches as well. The first and second doubles teams for the Thunder also dominated, putting all into good position for a shot at a state title for the first-year school. But Park City and even Judge Memorial will be doing everything they can to slow that new school down.

Park City's Tessa Wray waltzed into the semis in second singles behind a pair of love matches, and third singles player Stormy Dvorak joined her there, though she actually gave up five total games to her second round opponent from Hurricane, Emily Wendt.

Another compelling matchup in first singles between two of the state's best players will actually be the first meeting between the two since they each played in the 12 and under competitions. Juan Diego's Paige Miles, who continues to rocket through her high school career completely undefeated, will be taking on Judge Memorial's Mikkel Mancini, who had some trouble with mono earlier this summer and then took time off from tennis to focus on basketball for much of the rest of the summer.

"I feel like I'm hitting the ball pretty well now. Paige and I are close friends, and it'll be a fun match to play," said Mancini, who is not the only one looking forward to that meeting.

"Mikkel's playing well. Last year, I only had one good match at state, and this year I'm looking forward to two (if she defeats her friend)," said Miles, who is still undecided about which university she'll be playing tennis for next year.

---

E-mail: jolsen@desnews.com