2A high school tennis championship: Winged Lion roar to 5th state title

PROVO — It's a place Rowland Hall has been plenty of times, but the route they took this year has rarely been seen.

The Winged Lion won their fifth straight 2A state tennis title Saturday at BYU, and they did it in dominating fashion, sweeping all three singles divisions and both doubles categories.

"It feels awesome," Rowland Hall head coach Tim Sleeper said. "We've never swept before in the 13 years I've been doing this."

Sweeping the competition is quite a feat in itself. But considering the Winged Lion's squad includes only two seniors, the accomplishment becomes that much more impressive.

And according to Sleeper, a lot has to come together to complete that successful journey.

"A number of factors have to be in play to make that happen," he said. "Our No. 1 (Joe Illingworth) and No. 2 (Scott Tremain) singles were untouchable, (No. 3 singles) Matt (Zubair) played the best match of his life, and our two doubles teams showed a lot of heart."

Illingworth, a senior, won his second straight state title playing at No. 1 singles. He also took first at No. 2 singles as a freshman and was the runner-up at No. 1 singles during his sophomore year.

Illingworth cruised through the first two rounds, dropping just one game, but then had to face Waterford's Jay T. Anderson, whom he beat in the finals a year ago.

Anderson gave Illingworth a challenge, trailing just 5-4 and serving to tie things up in the first set. But Illingworth broke Anderson to win the set.

Illingworth was in control during the second set, finishing Anderson off 6-3 to capture the title.

"I stressed a lot before that match, but I was able to strengthen my mental game," Illingworth said. "(Anderson) is a tough player. He doesn't give you any errors, and he makes you keep moving around the court."

Rowland Hall's other senior, Beau Sperry, paired with Jon Zubair to make a consistent No. 1 doubles team, never in danger of losing a set.

Rowland Hall's No. 2 singles entry, Tremain, was perhaps even more dominant, dropping just five games in all during his three matches.

Matt Zubair overcame Garrison Green of Grand, 6-3, 7-5, in the No. 3 singles final match.

The Winged Lion's sweep wouldn't have been possible without a big comeback, during the last match of the day.