It was a perfect start to the Durango High School boys tennis season.
The DHS Demons began the year with a head-to-head match against regional rival Montrose, and the Demons had no problem securing a 7-0 victory.
“It was a great start to the season for us,” DHS head coach Dave Weisfeldt said. “In most of the practices that haven’t been rained out, we’ve done a lot of match play to set our initial ladder. The guys came in competition-tested and ready to put it down.”
No. 1 singles player Fred Edwards made the transition from No. 2 singles to the top spot seamless Friday. He defeated Montrose’s Jared Warren 6-0, 6-0.
“He looked pretty relaxed, and I think he was in middle gear the entire match,” Weisfeldt said of his new ace.
At No. 2 singles, Drew Downs took care of Montrose’s Brad Sawyer 6-4, 6-3.
“That was a tight one, and we had to settle the match down a little bit,” Weisfeldt said. “Drew was struggling to get the ball to the corners, but by playing steady he was able to wrack up points.”
Alijah Konikowski defeated Jacob Taylor 6-3, 6-3 at No. 3 singles for Durango. It was the singles debut for Konikowski at DHS, and Weisfeldt was pleased with his aggression at the net.
The No. 1 doubles team of Jake Schanfarber and Gavin Syme beat the Indians’ top doubles pair of Taylor Jones and Grayson Schearer 6-2, 6-3. After struggling against the Indians’ first serve early, Scanfarber and Syme settled into a groove to earn the win.
Will Downs and Micah Huang competed in the toughest match of the day for DHS at No. 2 doubles. They were pushed by Jonah Hockit and Jeff Sullinger but rallied to win 6-1, 4-6 and 10-4 in a super tiebreaker instead of a third set.
“We got pushed in that one,” Wesifeldt said. “We had mental lapses in the second set and couldn’t execute the easier shots, but they turned it around decisively in the tiebreaker, and I like to see that mental toughness.”
Durango’s No. 3 doubles team of Blaize Page and Riley Wanzek beat Quinn Schrick and Caleb Spiess 6-1, 6-1 in a match Wesifeldt called very steady.
The No. 4 doubles team of Jake Beekman and Amon Ledger-Swenson won by default as Montrose did not field a No. 4 doubles team.
Class 4A DHS will face a tougher test Saturday against Class 5A Fruita Monument.
“They are a big 5A school, and that quality of tennis will be a lot tougher,” Weisfeldt said. “I hope it elevates our play even more.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
