High school tennis: Eagles cruise towards 4A semifinals

SALT LAKE CITY — It's no surprise Skyline is leading the pack after the first two rounds of the 4A tennis state tournament.

The Eagles so far have dominated the tournament, advancing to the semifinal round in all five events, which gives them 10 points going into tomorrow.

Alyssa Evensen is the defending 5A second singles state champion but is competing, very successfully, in first singles this season.

Likewise, the defending 5A third singles champion, Erin Blessing, is completing in second singles for the Eagles this season.

Bountiful is in second place after Day 1 with eight points, but East and Highland are hot on their heels with seven points each.

Bountiful and Highland each advanced all three singles players to the semis, while the doubles teams for both schools made an early exit.

All three of Bountiful's singles players, Kanela Adamson, Kasey Bacon, and Nikki Russell are defending their individual state titles from last year, as well as the Braves' team title.

"I'm a little bit nervous (going into Saturday). Hopefully I reach the finals," Adamson said. "If I do, I'm just going to play my game."

Highland is somewhat of a surprise in this year's tournament as the Rams only earned three points in last year's attempt.

The play at the singles position for Highland is remarkable because the Rams' first and second singles players, Victoria Lara and Kristee Rowley are both three seeds from Region 6 while Sarah Koelliker, third singles, is a four seed. Lara snuck past Carmel Petersen of Mountain View in three sets and then knocked down Mountain Crest's No 1-seeded Mary Kate Johnson. Lara's two upsets set up a showdown with Skyline's very talented Alyssa Evensen.

"She's good," Lara said. "I'm looking forward to it. It'll be a good match."

East is also still in contention but the Leopards are getting it done in the opposite way Highland and Bountiful are. East's three singles players lost in the quarterfinal round at the hands of Skyline players, but both first and second doubles teams advanced.

It's fitting that East's first doubles team Hannah Wallin and Ruby Parkin is slated to play Analisa Nielson and Suzanna Garbett of Skyline. Second doubles tells the same story with Ashley Lewis and Haley Andrew of East meeting up with the Eagles' Emily Love and Nicole Evensen.

The final day of play will take place Saturday at Liberty Park at 9 a.m.

email: smundee@desnews.com