To show the value of winning the Great Eight 5A Challenge, Alta can point to last fall. The Hawks started off the season with a bang, winning the annual preseason tournament and then used it as a stepping stone to a runner-up finish at the 2006 5A tournament.

Now Alta will find out how much of a boost it will get from being a repeat champion.

The Hawks defeated Skyline, winning four of five matches, to capture a second-straight Great Eight title at Liberty Park Wednesday afternoon. Alta clinched the title by sweeping all three singles championship matches against the Eagles.

The Great Eight 5A Challenge features the top eight teams from the previous season's 5A tournament and, typically, many of these same teams are annual state title contenders.

Alta knows winning the tournament is no small thing.

"That was our first trophy last year," said Aubrey Paul, after she defeated Hillary Hays 6-3, 6-2 in first singles. "It was good to come back and know we really did earn it last year and we can do it again."

Ashley Tanner defeated Kara Douville in second singles 6-0, 6-1. Mandie Divino topped Emalia Steele in third singles 6-0, 6-0.

Earning such a decisive victory is a good sign for Divino, who did not play tennis until trying out for the team as a freshman. The senior is showing she belongs among the state's elite, with this strong outing coming after reaching last year's 5A semifinals.

One thing helping Divino dominate on Wednesday was a sheer determination to bend her opponent to her preferred style of play — lots of power and lots of movement.

"I just stayed focused," Divino said. "Didn't go in overconfident and just played my game."

Jessica Fosdick and Dana Peterson defeated Katie Jensen and Megan Watts 6-1, 6-3 in second doubles. Skyline picked up its lone match win in first doubles, after Katie Johnston and Anna Adondakis winning 6-1, 6-2 over Jessica Staples and Jessica Prested.

Johnston and Adondakis paired for the three-day Great Eight 5A Challenge at the same time Johnston paired with Hays for a match against Hillcrest a couple of days ago.

A sifting process continues with the Eagles as coach Joanie Daily looks to find the best combination in singles and doubles slots. Johnston has had no trouble adapting to a variety of new partners and feels confident any pairing will be a successful one.

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"Whoever my partner ends up being at state, I think we'll do fine," Johnston said. "Even though there are good teams, we're a good team, too."

Region 2 offered a convincing argument it may be 5A's toughest region this fall.

Skyline and Alta knocked out all three Region 4 teams — Spanish Fork, Timpanogos and Viewmont — invited to the tournament on their way to the final.


E-mail: jeborn@desnews.com

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