Girls tennis: Hancock gets 3-peat, leads PV to 2nd place at State; DH duo wins 1st doubles title as Thunder take 3rd

SALT LAKE CITY – Although they didn’t take the overall title, Pine View was the dominant Region 9 team at the girls tennis 3A State championship this weekend.

The Panthers placed second as a team and 1st singles star Lacey Hancock, in fine form, achieved her personal three-peat adding 2013 to her 2011 and 2012 state championships. Desert Hills also scored an underdog win. 

1st singles State champion Lacey Hancock, for Pine View, Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Harold Nelson
1st singles State champion Lacey Hancock, for Pine View, Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Harold Nelson

Undefeated in season and region matches, Hancock continued her winning streak by blazing into the finals. None of her opponents could win even a single game against her, including Region 10 champion Solveig Karlsen of Park City, whom she blew off the court in a double-bagel slam in the championship match. Park City prevailed in overall points, however, to win the state team title.

“It was hard for me to stay calm the whole tournament because of the pressure (to win,) but when I got in the finals, the nerves went away and I just played my game,” Hancock said. “I didn’t let up and didn’t make stupid mistakes.”

Known as one of the best junior players ever to come out of southern Utah, Hancock today became a three-time state champion and is trying to become only the second girl in Utah history to win 1st singles all four years of high school. Each season, the pressure to achieve her dream builds.

“I have to keep my eye on the goal and tell myself that three is not enough,” she said. “I’ve got to get four to make it count.”

1st doubles State champions Taylor Cooney (left) and Madz Eames, for Desert Hills, Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Harold Nelson
1st doubles State champions Taylor Cooney (left) and Madz Eames, for Desert Hills, Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Harold Nelson

PV’s 3rd singles, promising freshman Hattie Erekson, also gave an impressive performance by making it into the finals, barely losing a tight three-set match. For Snow Canyon, 2nd singles Bergen Nelson concluded her high school career with a run to the finals.

Scoring another major victory for Region 9, DH 1st doubles Taylor Cooney and Madz Eames beat dogged opponents from Park City to take the state title in their position. Not only was the match tough, with a final score of 6-1, 4-6, 6-3, but the win helped boost DH to a third place team finish.

“They played extremely well. Their individual strengths blend together to make a great doubles team,” coach Dow Christenson said. “Madz has power and a strong serve, and Taylor has quick hands at the net. My hat’s off to those two. They did great.”

The championship was held Friday and Saturday at the Liberty Park tennis courts in Salt Lake City, overseen by the Utah High School Activities Association. Girls tennis will now be on hiatus until the fall of 2014.

Results

1st singles

  • Champion: Lacey Hancock (Pine View)
  • Runner-up: Solveig Karlsen (Park City)

2nd singles

  • Champion: Dani Lecher (Park City)
  • Runner-up: Bergen Nelson (Snow Canyon)

3rd singles

  • Champion: Jessica Santos (Park City)
  • Runner-up: Hattie Erekson (Pine View)

1st doubles

  • Champion: Taylor Cooney/Madz Eames (Desert Hills)
  • Runner-up: Kylie Schwalbe/Kenna Tychsen (Park City)

2nd doubles

  • Champion: Bailee Sandberg/Becca Toone (Grantsville)
  • Runner-up: Caitlin Keenan/Mikela Baird (Juan Diego)

Team

  • Champion: Park City
  • 2nd place: Pine View
  • 3rd place: Desert Hills

Full results are available here.

State runner-up team Pine View, Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Abbey Hancock
State runner-up team Pine View, Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 11, 2013 | Photo courtesy of Abbey Hancock

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