Prep tennis: Underclassmen help Judge claim state title

• by Kyle Goon
• October 10, 2011
• Salt Lake Tribune article link

Orem • Katie Iwasaki couldn’t seem to catch her breath, even long after her match had passed and the third singles title was hers. Maybe it was exhaustion, maybe it was excitement — whatever it was, the Judge Memorial sophomore didn’t seem to mind the fluttering in her chest.

“I was getting so shaky at the end, I was hoping I’d just make it through,” Iwasaki said. “I chased after everything and focused on my feet. I definitely got tired, but I’m so happy right now.”

There were many young champions who were catching their breath following the Class 3A girls’ tennis championships final day at Timpanogos High on Monday. Particularly for Judge, the overall team champion, the youth movement was critical to its success.

The Bulldogs got titles from Iwasaki, a sophomore, and Whitney Weisberg, a freshman. The underclassmen’s performances in third and second singles, respectively, were key victories over Snow Canyon opponents as Judge outpaced the Warriors for the team title.

But it was the Bulldog seniors who came through with a win that was all gravy. Ali Clayton and Alyssa Corbett, who have been doubles partners since before high school, notched a win in second doubles that left them embracing each other and tearing up.

“We had only ever made it to semis before this year,” Clayton said. “We know each other’s games better than anyone. We’ve been waiting for this for so long.”

Pine View freshman Lacey Hancock didn’t have to wait long at all for her first state title. Her coach told the phenom at the beginning of the year that she had the potential to win it all, but she didn’t share the same confidence. Only a few months later, Hancock ended her undefeated season with a masterful 6-1, 6-0 win over Dixie’s Cydnee Wilkinson. Now her goal is to go undefeated all four years, like her brother Wes Hancock.

“I didn’t know how everyone was going to play, I was a little nervous,” she said. “Now I know it’s possible to do what my brother did.”

kgoon@sltrib.com

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Class 3A girls’ tennis state championship results

Individual results

• 1st singles: Lacey Hancock (Pine View) def. Cydnee Wilkinson (Dixie) 6-1, 6-0

• 2nd singles: Whitney Weisberg (Judge Memorial) def. Kennedy Neilson (Snow Canyon) 6-4, 6-1

• 3rd singles: Katie Iwasaki (Judge Memorial) def. Bergen Nelson (Snow Canyon) 7-5, 7-5

• 1st doubles: Abbey Anjewierden and Meredith Tribe (Ogden) def. Abbey Hafen and Madi Harrison (Snow Canyon) 6-3, 6-2

• 2nd doubles: Alyssa Corbett and Ali Clayton (Judge Memorial) def. Natalie Frost and Lauren Weed (Park City) 6-1, 6-1

Team results

• 1st: Judge Memorial

• 2nd: Snow Canyon

• 3rd: Dixie/Ogden/Park City (tie)