High school girls tennis: Timpview chasing 3-peat in 5A, but Highland, Park City, Woods Cross stand in the way

Macy Richards of Woods Cross competes against Avery Pope of Timpview in the 5A second singles match of the girls tennis state championship at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Macy Richards, Sophie Hastings, Avery Pope and Ellie Martin the top contenders in first singles

SALT LAKE CITY — Nate Warner coached Timpview’s girls tennis team to three state titles during a six-year stretch from 1996 to 2001, and he’s back at the helm again trying to help the T-Birds as they continue to build a new dynasty.

The two-time defending state champion T-Birds head into this week’s state tournament as the front-runner after a very strong region showing in 2020.

Several other programs though, most notably Woods Cross, Highland and Park City, hope to deny Timpview on its quest for the state title.

“I think 5A is always really good, I think there’s more depth in 5A than 6A. There’s stronger teams overall, so it makes it challenging. There’s a lot of pretty good schools. My team has been playing well and they’re excited for state. We’re just going to try and win the first and move onto the next.” — Timpview coach Nate Warner

“I think 5A is always really good, I think there’s more depth in 5A than 6A. There’s stronger teams overall, so it makes it challenging. There’s a lot of pretty good schools,” said Warner. “My team has been playing well and they’re excited for state. We’re just going to try and win the first and move onto the next.”

In 2018, Timpview tied Olympus for the team title, whereas last season it won much more comfortably with a five-point cushion over second-place Woods Cross.

Timpview, Woods Cross and Highland all qualified teams to state in all five positions, including four No. 1 seeds. Park City qualified five to state with three No. 1 seeds.

Those top seeds are critical in racking team points as it gives individuals an easier draw to the semifinals, or the money round as Warner calls it as players earn two team points by reaching the semis.

In a tourney that figures to be extremely tight, every point will matter in the team race.

Warner has cautioned his players about the pitfalls of looking ahead though.

“I think sometimes teams and players start to look down the draw a little too far, and that can be a little risky to do that,” said Warner.

Two of last year’s 5A singles state champs are back this year, but both are moving up a position.

Woods Cross’ Macy Richards beat Timpview’s Avery Pope in the second singles championship match last year, with both players moving up into first singles this year.

Timpview’s Sofie Thompson won the third singles title last year, but now she’s competing at second singles.

Last year’s first singles champ from East, Emmie Moore, isn’t participating in high school tennis this year which means a new individual champ will be crowned.

“Without her in the mix, it makes it exciting for all the girls playing first singles this year,” said Warner.

Richards and Pope figure to be right in the mix after their second singles success last year, while Park City sophomore Elle Martin and Highland senior Sophie Hastings figure to be right there as well. All four qualified as a No. 1 seed, and for Martin and Hastings, they advanced to the first singles quarterfinals last year and have some big-match experience.

Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

Avery Pope of Timpview competes against Macy Richards of Woods Cross in the 5A second singles match of the girls tennis state championship at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019.

The chase for team titles often comes down to success in the doubles matches, and if that’s the case then Timpview and Highland would seem to have the advantage as both of their teams won the region title.

They’re on the same side of the bracket at first doubles, which makes that potential match a huge one for both teams’ title hopes.

Here’s a look at the state tournament qualifiers for each region:

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Region 5

First singles

1. Macy Richards, Woods Cross

2. Shannon Anderson, Farmington

3. Brooke Maxwell, Viewmont

Second singles

1. Peyton Kossin, Woods Cross

2. Allison Barrus, Farmington

3. Kali Stokes, Box Elder

Third singles

1. Elena Smart, Woods Cross

2. Eliza Peterson, Farmington

3. Katelyn Bennett, Box Elder

First doubles

1. Kate Lewis/Alena McMillan, Woods Cross

2. Cate Gladwell/Emi Robinson, Viewmont

3. Katelyn Esplin/Mykah Bullard, Farmington

Second doubles

1. Claire Kronmiller/Paige Smith, Bonneville

2. Kate Geddes/Ali Geddes, Farmington

3. Isabella Adams/Abby Stratford, Woods Cross

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Region 6

First singles

1. Sophie Hastings, Highland

2. Ansley Stohl, Olympus

3. Rebecca Schwartz, Brighton

4. Elle Dyskstra, Skyline

5. Kaiya Endo, Cottonwood

Second singles

1. Rebecca Greene, Skyline

2. Sam Kiburtz, Highland

3. Ashlyn Jackson, Olympus

4. Lucy Carleson, East

5. Ellie Spangler, Brighton

Third singles

1. Elsa Pearce, Highland

2. Emma Parkin, East

3. Morgan Longson, Olympus

4. Dru Martin, Brighton

First doubles

1. Abby Bradford/Grace Harman, Highland

2. Lucy Findlay/Linda Findlay, Olympus

3. Kylie O’Connell/Tatum Smith, Skyline

4. Nicole Devashrayee/Anne Young, Brighton

5. Jane Snow/Nicole Peterson, East

Second doubles

1. Kate Creamer/Lucy Foulks, Highland

2. Kalli Olsen/Chanel Mansell, Brighton

3. Claire Keller/Lily Soulier, Skyline

4. Hannah Jarman/Alexandra Rawlings, Olympus

5. Sage Peterson/Clara Parkin, East

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Region 7

First singles

1. Avery Pope, Timpview

2. Cambria Cook, Orem

3. Caroline Moon, Lehi

4. Rebecca Russell, Alta

Second singles

1. Maya Inouye, Orem

2. Sofie Thompson, Timpview

3. Kylie Colunga, Lehi

4. Caijsa Andengaard, Timpanogos

Third singles

1. Anna Stewart, Timpview

2. Kayla Carlson, Orem

3. Grace Anthony, Alta

4. Aleea Symkoviak, Lehi

First doubles

1. Emma Wilkinson/Kylie Woods, Timpview

2. Brooklyn Dowdell/Raquel Passey, Alta

3. Taigely Parkinson/Elle Livingston, Timpanogos

4. Maddie Austin/Sharon Dunn, Orem

Second doubles

1. Olive Esplin/Aubrey Page, Timpview

2. Julia Black/Paige Liston, Orem

3. Jane Callister/Eliza Bingham, Alta

4. Paige Adams/Sidney Adams, Timpanogos

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Region 8

First singles

1. Elle Martin, Park City

2. Alexi Corfield, Springville

3. Kaitlin Dixon, Maple Mountain

4. Alivia Winkel, Spanish Fork

Second singles

1. Audrey Lord, Park City

2. Kayla Huish, Spanish Fork

3. Hannah Townsend, Maple Mountain

4. Sally Otterstrom, Provo

Third singles

1. Madison Galbraith, Springville

2. Kylie Smith, Spanish Fork

3. Matrina Cavieres, Park City

4. Anna Barton, Salem Hills

5. Rylie Wiscombe, Maple Mountain

First doubles

1. AnnaBeth Templeman/Amanda Gardner, Springville

2. Lauren Allen/Daniela Santos, Park City

3. Megan Mayo/Leah DeHart, Salem Hills

4. Roz Hilton/Lauren Forsey, Maple Mountain

Second doubles

1. Aly Inglish/Mayme Hansen, Park City

2. Sophie Hill/Raime Hilton, Maple Mountain

3. Lydia Felix/Emma Hafen, Springville

4. Hailey Wilcox/Brooklyn Petersen, Provo

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