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Get out the rackets: The high school tennis season concludes this week with the state tennis tournaments.
Classes 5A, 4A and 3A all will take place at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City this year. The first and second rounds will start with 5A on Wednesday, then 4A on Thursday and 3A on Friday. All three classifications will crown their champions Saturday.
As always, there will be powerhouse programs butting heads, as well as a few individual rivalries blossoming. Here's a look at some of the more potent storylines at the start of the state tournament.
Class 5A
After a tie between Alta and Lone Peak last year, it appears the state's biggest classification is a bit muddled again. Davis, Lone Peak and Cottonwood could be the early favorites to win the overall title.
In singles, there's the potential for a big battle between Darts senior Alexis Turley and Colts senior Katie Sweet. Turley was runner-up at first singles in 2010, and Sweet in 2011 — both are seeking their first singles state titles. Second singles could have a rematch between the younger sibling, Breezy Turley, and Cottonwood's Sarah Sturt, which Turley won last year. Several underclassmen could stand out in third singles — competitors from Lone Peak, Viewmont and Davis all are undefeated.
Haley Schettler and Electra Cochran won second doubles for Lone Peak last year. They are split into different duos this year, but both Knights squads have title aspirations. Alta, Davis and Viewmont each have at least one undefeated doubles team.
Class 4A
Skyline will be gunning for its fourth straight state team title, with a few contenders for individual honors mixed in. But this might be the year the Eagles have been the most vulnerable during their run, and they'll face some stiff competition from the likes of Orem, Timpview and perhaps a wildcard team such as East or Bountiful.
The main draw is in first singles, where Bountiful's Kanella Adamson and Orem's Erika Valimaki have competed head-to-head in the last two state championships. Adamson won in 2010, while Valimaki won in 2011. They're on opposite ends of the bracket year, which allows a rematch in the final. But Timpview's Kate Cusick or three-time champion Erin Blessing of Skyline could throw a wrench into that draw. Fellow Skyline state title winner Sydney Monson moves up to second singles, where her toughest competition might be East's Laura Hartle or Box Elder's Kate Hadfield.
Megan Bell won a doubles title at Woods Cross last year, but she has switched schools and leads a tough Olympus pairing. Hannah Wallin and Ruby Parkin from East have some experience as well in first doubles. Orem and Bountiful have undefeated squads with top seeds in second doubles.
Class 3A
Judge Memorial brings back its same singles lineup from last year, including two state title winners. But other teams will be vying for the crown.
Whitney Weisberg won second singles last year, but now the sophomore will play first singles. That puts her on a likely collision course with fellow precocious player Lacey Hancock of Pine View, who dropped only four points while romping to a state championship last year. Emily Murnin will have a shot in second singles for Judge, while Kate Iwasaki hopes to repeat in third singles. Snow Canyon's Bergen Nelson could be a wildcard in second singles, and so might Spanish Fork's Ali Damon in third singles.
Juan Diego and Spanish Fork both have strong doubles squads, with both being a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Prep tennis tourneys kick off this week
Liberty Park tennis courts, play starts at 8:30 a.m.
Wednesday • 5A first and second rounds
Thursday • 4A first and second rounds
Friday • 3A first and second rounds
Saturday • 3A/4A/5A semifinals and finals