Three Durango High School tennis positions survived to reach the final round at the Delta Invitational on Friday in Delta.
Two more positions remain alive in consolation brackets for third place at the eight-team tournament.
“It makes us happy to do well in this tournament and finally get some wins and people in the finals,” DHS head coach Dave Weisfeldt said. “We’re in the hunt for a good team standing.”
Durango’s No. 1 singles player Fred Edwards received a bye in the first round.
Edwards dispatched Cortez 6-0, 6-0 in his first match to reach the final Saturday against Vail Mountain.
“We’re excited for that because those two haven’t seen each other, and they’re in our region,” Weisfeldt said. “If Fred wants to get to state, he’s got to see those regional opponents.”
Easton Verduzco, playing at No. 2 singles in place of Drew Downs, lost 6-0, 6-0 to Montrose in the first round.
Cortez beat him 8-3 in a consolation bracket pro set to eliminate Verduzco.
Alijah Konikowski also punched a ticket into the No. 3 singles final with two wins.
He beat a Fruita Monument junior varsity player 6-0, 6-0 and Vail Mountain 2-6, 6-4, 10-8.
Konikowski will face Hotchkiss on Saturday.
“He had a stellar day. We’re super thrilled for Alijah,” Weisfeldt said. “He gets a second crack at Hotchkiss. I think he’s champing at the bit for another opportunity.”
Durango’s No. 1 doubles team of Jake Schanfarber and Gavin Syme struggled, losing 6-3, 6-3 to Steamboat Springs and 8-6 to Montrose, eliminating them from the tournament.
Will Downs and Micah Hwang beat Fruita JV 6-3, 7-5 in the first round at No. 2 doubles before losing 6-1, 7-6 with a 7-5 tiebreaker to Hotchkiss to fall into the consolation bracket.
“I’m a little bit happier with the close second set,” Weisfeldt said.
Downs and Hwang will play Cortez on Saturday.
The No. 3 doubles team of Blaise Paige and Corbin Reiter had a bye in the first round before losing 6-3, 6-2 to Steamboat.
They’ll play either Hotchkiss or Fruita JV in the consolation bracket.
Reiter is playing in place of Riley Wanzek.
The No. 4 doubles team of Jake Beekman and Amon Ledger-Swenson beat Fruita JV 6-0, 6-1 and Steamboat Springs 6-3, 6-2 to reach the finals.
They’ll play Vail Mountain.
“It’s between us, Hotchkiss and Vail Mountain in the top mix,” Weisfeldt said.
Play begins at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in Delta for the tournament’s second day.
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