The Durango High School girls tennis team will take nine competitors to the Colorado High School Activities Association 4A State Girls Tennis Tournament after the Demons won the Region 7 title Saturday at Pueblo City Park in Pueblo.
All three singles players and three doubles teams will be representing DHS at the state championships May 11-13 at the same regional site in Pueblo.
“The girls that traveled and competed really came together and totally stepped up to the challenge,” Durango head coach Dani Phillis said. “The individual performances were impressive and full of heart and the team has never felt stronger or more unified. I feel privileged to have gotten to coach this group.”
The Demons’ No. 1 singles player, Bayfield High School freshman Mavis Edwards, beat Pueblo West regional favorite Sara Schoenbeck 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to win. No. 2 Maggie Hackett also won the region after beating fellow senior Kaylee Lamere from Canon City 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. Sophomore Emma Hackett closed out the singles sweep with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) win against Canon City junior Ally Meins.
The doubles teams brought more success to the DHS squad.
The DHS No. 2 singles team of sophomore Lily Chick and senior Emily West took first place at regionals with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 win in the finals.
Ruby DeCora and Emma Jaber finished third, but made it to state at No. 3 doubles after winning a challenge back 6-0, 6-3.
Juniors Camille Jacobs and Emma Vogel took second place at regionals as well and qualified for state at No. 4 doubles. The only team that isn’t going to state is the No. 1 doubles team of Jenna Engelken and Rebecca Bowers after forfeiting the playback because of prior academic obligations.
“We didn’t breeze our way through the tournament,” Phillis said. “It was hard fought for most of our wins. We’ll leave Wednesday with our six teams and I’m amazingly proud of what they’ve done already.”
jfries@durangoherald.com
