HOLLADAY — After more than 40 consecutive match victories and a pair of 5A state championships in a two-season span, it appears the only thing that could stop Skyline's Christiana Pinborough and Katie Johnston was graduation.
Specifically, Pinborough's graduation.
Johnston, a senior, will find out how life is with a new tennis partner. Going into this week's Great Eight tournament at Liberty Park, no decision had been made on if freshman Hillary Hayes or Kara Douville — who played third singles in 2006 — would pair with her in first doubles.
Regardless of which one spends the season with her, Johnston knows it might take some time mentally adapting to the change.
"It's kind of strange," Johnston said. "When we were trying out, I came the first day and I could tell something (felt) different because Christiana wasn't there, and I was used to her being there with me."
That's not to say Johnston doesn't embrace change. She is excited at having a chance to pair with another girl and act as a mentor like Pinborough did with her.
And with two state titles already won, she can afford to relax and enjoy what is likely her final season of competitive tennis. Opportunities are there for Johnston to play in college, but she is determined to focus more on academics.
"I would like to play, but I'm not sure with school and all of that if it would be feasible to focus on two things at once," Johnston said. "I will continue playing tennis for fun anyway."
Even breaking in another partner, Johnston is favored in her quest for a third state title. The main challenge she'll face is adjusting her game to fit another teammate's style.
With Pinborough, she traditionally relied on a restrained style of play.
"We liked power and used it," Johnston said. "But, in between points, we usually slowed things down to keep our focus."
If Hayes ends up with Johnston, Douville will move from third singles to first singles. While she is intrigued with the idea of playing first doubles, Douville is leaning toward singles after a satisfying varsity debut last fall.
"I was just hoping I would make the team and then I ended up playing varsity," Douville said. "I was really psyched. This year I'm even more excited to be playing higher up."
Here's a glance at the rest of Region 2:
ALTA: Few teams can match the depth the Hawks enjoy at their three singles slots. Ashley Tanner and Mandie Divino both reached the 5A semifinals at first and third singles last year, while Aubrey Paul finished as 5A runner-up in second singles.
The trio is expected to take it a step further and compete for state titles — which makes the Hawks a big favorite to capture a team title in Region 2. "Right now we're pretty high up there," Divino said. "We have a pretty good chance. We're a just a really well put-together team."
BRIGHTON: Like Alta, Brighton benefits from having several experienced players. Singles players Kimi Watts, Emily Mattson and Ali Spackman are all back. The Bengals can also draw on seasoned doubles star Megan Collins.
Brighton coach Natalie Aposhian is convinced Region 2 is as tough as ever, but remains confident the Bengals can hold their own.
"It helps greatly because you get players who are experienced and they've played a lot of girls that are already out there," Aposhian said. "They come back and have been working really hard all year and are ready for another season."
JORDAN: It is a rebuilding year for Jordan, with only Brooke Richards and Sydney Sanford returning with any varsity experience. Both players split time at third singles last fall and now move up to first and second singles respectively.
Richards knows they must set the right tone for younger teammates if Jordan wishes to stay in the hunt for a region title.
"It makes me realize I need to try harder and take it more serious, so I don't let down the team," Richards said.
HILLCREST: Staying competitive in the region will likely depend on how the Huskies fare in doubles play once again. Last year, Hillcrest proved strong in that area with Michelle Mettenet and Hilary Price reaching the 5A final in first doubles before falling to Skyline.
With singles, the Huskies will have to battle Taylorsville to avoid finishing last.
TAYLORSVILLE: The Warriors find themselves in the difficult situation of trying to climb out of the region cellar while lacking comparable talent to teams like Alta and Skyline.
Taylorsville expects good things from Angie Yates, Bianca Tarver and Jessie Christoffersen in singles play. But longtime coach Steven Smith says it is hard trying to rebuild with so little depth compared to other programs in the region.
"This year, we are really down on players," Smith said. "If all the girls come, we only have 11."
E-mail: jcoon@desnews.com