Facing a Class 5A powerhouse such as Grand Junction always is a learning experience for the Durango High School boys tennis team.
The Tigers delivered a 6-1 lesson Thursday in Durango.
“We know Junction, we’ve seen them before in the Western Slope, and they’re a perennial powerhouse,” DHS head coach Dave Weisfeldt said. “The best you can hope for is to hang on and learn something.”
Fred Edwards proved a quick study at No. 1 singles for DHS, beating Brian List 6-0, 6-1.
“I don’t think that’s Junction’s normal No. 1,” Weisfeldt said. “We heard that there was an injury. This late in the season, you can’t really put in an alternate, because you have regionals next week. That’s why Fred had an easier match than he otherwise would have.”
Durango’s Drew Downs lost 6-0, 6-1 to Matt Ness at No. 2 singles, and Alijah Konikowski of DHS fell 6-0, 6-1 to Ben Arja at No. 3 singles.
The DHS No. 1 doubles team of Jake Schanfarber and Gavin Syme lost 6-3, 6-0 to Ty Gardner and Tommy Mahre.
Will Downs and Micah Hwang of DHS lost 6-0, 6-0 to Ian Hegstrom and Sam Shaver.
Durango’s Blaise Page and Riley Wanzek lost 6-1, 6-0 to Ryan Bowen and Matt Miller at No. 3 doubles.
The DHS No. 4 doubles team of Jake Beekman and Amon Ledger-Swanson lost 6-1, 6-0 to Adam Down and Sam Welling.
DHS will host Montrose at 11 a.m. Saturday.
“It’s good for the guys to get back to some competition we’ll have to see in the postseason,” Weisfeldt said.
heraldsports@ durangoherald.com
