High school tennis: 2A Tournament could offer surprises

If all plays out right for the Rowland Hall girls tennis team, the defending champs could walk away with their fifth consecutive state title. With all the stiff competition in this weekend's state tournament, it won't be an easy task for the Winged Lion.

Lone senior Jenn Livermore is the captain and emotional leader of the team. Defending her No. 2 singles title is top priority, but being a team leader should help her teammates.

Livermore will have her skills tested in her first match of the day, where she's matched up against San Juan's Lexus Latham. A freshman, Latham has a chance to mix things up in the morning with an upset. A win would certainly boost the Broncos into the title chase.

In No. 1 singles, sophomore Joanna Matyjasik from St. Joseph is looking to redeem herself from last year's championship loss. The underclassman will have to beat out two seniors en route to the title game.

Senior Tina Dalton finished with an undefeated record this year for Parowan. A win in the first round would match her up with either Rowland Hall freshman Madeline Foley, or San Juan's Sydney Lyman.

At No. 3 singles, senior Kim Beck from Waterford was perfect in the regular season and hopes to carry the momentum into the state tournament. Mandy Fisher from San Juan is the biggest threat to Beck's clean record. Fisher shouldn't have too much trouble in the lower bracket, so a Beck vs. Fisher title showdown is probable.

With Manti moving up the 3A class, both No. 1 and 2 doubles are up for grabs — the Templars swept both last year.

San Juan's No. 1 and 2 doubles teams were both undefeated in the regular season. Justina Lameman and Juanita Royer lead the race in No. 1 doubles, where they should make it to the title match, but face a huge obstacle if Scout Swenson and Kaitlyn Ramsey from Rowland Hall come out to defend the past four state titles.

Sophomores Rylee Lyman and Cortney MacDonald are the clear favorite for No. 2 doubles. Gunnison's duo of Gabi Malmgren and Morgan Allred could pull off the upset, but they must first get by the Rowland Hall tandem of Sarah Mian and Christine Livsey in their first match of the day.

Emily Love and Molly Peterson from Waterford could be sleepers in the top bracket, but will have to prove themselves in the second round when they'll be matched up with the Grand/St. Joseph winners.

Add it all up, and this year's tournament could be full of surprises. San Juan has the opportunity to make a title run as the dark horse of the tournament. Two key wins are needed in the first round in 1st and 2nd singles to keep their title hopes alive.

Waterford and St. Joseph are neck and neck in the chase, but both should finish in the top 3, with one possibly stealing the show.

As for Rowland Hall, they make their own destiny. If the Winged Lion can come out and defend their four consecutive titles, there is no reason to count them out.

The 2A/1A State Tournament starts at 9 a.m. today at Liberty Park.

e-mail: cjohnson@desnews.com