High school tennis: Orem has commanding lead at 4A state tourney

By Sarah Thomas
Deseret News
Published: Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 12:00 a.m. MDT
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The Orem Tigers came roaring out of the gate to start the 2008 4A tennis state tournament at Liberty Park on Friday. The Tigers advanced to the second round in all five divisions and four of the teams moved on to play in the semi-finals today.

"We've done awesome. Today (Friday) went great," Orem coach Shannon Finch said.

Senior Andie Young, who is playing first singles for the Tigers, moved through the day easily by defeating Emily Spackman of Olympus, 6-0, 6-0, and then Morgen Kiser of East, 6-2, 6-3. Young is slated to meet Kassia Adamson of Bountiful first thing this morning. Adamson, a senior, is perfect since the start of region play and rolled through the first two rounds with wins over Rachel Smith of West, 6-0, 6-0, and Priscila Argaez, 6-0, 6-0.

Orem second singles player Kelsie Craig was also undefeated through region and didn't lose a game in the first half of state competition. Craig beat up on Rachel Reese of Olympus and Hannah Phillips, thumping both with a score of 6-0, 6-0.

Craig's sister, Callie, didn't have as easy of a time securing her place in the semifinals, however. Callie Craig and her first doubles partner, Candice Gurr, made quick work of Cassie Brackus and Jackie Cooley of Murray in the first round, 6-0, 6-0, but Kelsey Russell and Kacey Bacon of Bountiful gave the Orem pair a run for their money. The last match of the day was extended over three hours and through three sets before the Tigers could come up with the win, 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.

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In order to be successful on day two of state competition, Finch said she and her team are going to "go in with the same confidence as today. We're going to just play our game."

Orem is leading the pack with nine team points, although the East Leopards are right on their heels with eight points of their own. The Leopards have four out of five entrants still alive, lead by second singles player Fredericke Kiki. Kiki stunned Gennie Pierce of Mountain View by eliminating her to start the day with a score of 6-0, 6-1. Kiki then made Markell Harmon of Timpview her next victim, beating her 6-4, 6-0. Sky View is in third with six points but only has two competitors remaining, and Bountiful is in a close fourth with five points and with two of their own still playing.

Tournament play for 4A is scheduled to resume today at 7:30 a.m. at the Salt Lake Tennis Center. The event has been moved from Liberty Park to the indoor courts due to weather concerns.

E-mail: sthomas@desnews.com

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