High school girls tennis: Olympus delivers first title since 2018

Class 5A State Tournament

SALT LAKE CITY — Since winning a fifth-consecutive state title in 2018, Olympus hadn’t seen the same kind of success, finishing no better than fifth over the next three seasons.

On Saturday afternoon, however, whatever dark cloud hung over the Titans’ heads was quickly banished as they claimed the 5A state championship with hours to spare at Liberty Park Tennis Complex in Salt Lake City. The Titans scored 56 points, beating out the defending (co-)champion Woods Cross Wildcats by 11 points, with most of that separation coming between the semis and the finals.

“The girls worked so hard,” Olympus coach Katie Zimmerman said. “We were only up by three points (at the semifinals), so we still had to keep winning, and the key was getting four lines to the finals. They just kept fighting because we knew Woods Cross was on our tails.”

Olympus freshman Emi Dowdell helped in that cause by winning the state title in the third singles bracket, beating Skyline junior Elle Dykstra in straight sets. Then the doubles combo of freshman Sophie Dowdell and Morgan Longson delivered another title for the Titans in the first doubles bracket.

Perhaps just as important, the second doubles combo of junior Alexandra Rawlings and freshman Wilhelmina Hoggan made it to the finals by virtue of a semifinal win which simultaneously gave Olympus four points and denied them from Woods Cross.

The Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) moved to a new scoring system for this year’s tournament, leading to the higher scores for each team compared to previous years. (In 2021, Woods Cross and Highland shared the 5A title last year with 17 points each.) Rather than awarding a point per match and two points for the final, the new system awarded one point during the play-in round, two points for the next round, and so on until the winner of the final earned five points.

The new system prompted a somewhat tongue-in-cheek announcement during the awards ceremony when UHSAA official Jackie Parker named Olympus the champs and then added that the team’s 56 points was the highest team score in 5A tournament history.

Woods Cross proved as tough as advertised in the Wildcats’ effort to defend their title. Sophomore Sage Bergeson claimed her second-straight title in the first singles bracket, defeating Brighton freshman Avery Olsen in two very intense sets. Olsen led early in both sets.

“I just stayed focused,” Bergeson said. “When I got down, I would lose focus for a minute, but then I came back. I chose to not focus on the score and just focus on every single point.”

Nearly an hour after most of the fans and other teams had left, two matches were still going as Springville and Woods Cross battled for just a few more points on the board. Ironically, both of those matches were against the same opponent, Olympus, long after the Titans had already secured the biggest prize of the day.

The biggest upset of the tournament happened during the last match to finish when the No. 7 Springville duo of junior Britta Broberg and sophomore Nadia Templeman rallied from a set down, coming back to beat Olympus in three sets for the second doubles state title.

Final Standings

1. Olympus - 56
2. Woods Cross - 45
3. Park City - 27
4. Skyline - 26
5. Timpview - 22
6. Springville - 20
7. Brighton - 17
8. Orem - 9

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UHSAA bracket

First singles

Play-in matches (Sept. 23)

• No. 17 Anna Barton, Salem Hills def. No. 16 Paige Frazier, Bonneville
• No. 9 Kaiya Endo, Cottonwood def. No. 24 Maurlee Luck, Uintah
• No. 13 Madison Galbraith, Springville def. No. 20 Anna Jones, Stansbury
• No. 12 Samantha Kiburtz, Highland def. No. 21 Annie Black, Bountiful
• No. 15 Raquel Passey, Alta def. No. 18 Brooklyn Petersen, Provo
• No. 10 Caroline Moon, Lehi def. No. 23 Paige Reynolds, Mountain View
• No. 14 Raimie Hilton, Maple Mountain def. No. 19 Lila Daines, Wasatch
• No. 11 Emily Bown, Viewmont def. No. 22 Gabby Trejo, Spanish Fork

Round of 16 (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Sage Bergeson, Woods Cross def. No. 17 Anna Barton, Salem Hills, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 8 Anna Stewart, Timpview def. No. 9 Kaiya Endo, Cottonwood, 6-1, 6-1
• No. 4 Fabiana Gonzalez, Hillcrest def. No. 13 Madison Galbraith, Springville, 6-2, 6-1
• No. 5 Lily Stohl, Olympus def. No. 12 Samantha Kiburtz, Highland, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 2 Avery Olsen, Brighton def. No. 15 Raquel Passey, Alta, 6-1, 6-0
• No. 7 Lucy Wallin, Skyline def. No. 10 Caroline Moon, Lehi, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 3 Elle Martin, Park City def. No. 14 Raimie Hilton, Maple Mountain, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 6 Maya Inouye, Orem def. No. 11 Emily Bowen, Viewmont, 6-0, 6-0

Quarterfinals (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Sage Bergeson, Woods Cross def. No. 8 Anna Stewart, Timpview, 6-1, 6-1
• No. 5 Lily Stohl, Olympus def. No. 4 Fabiana Gonzalez, Hillcrest, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1
• No. 2 Avery Olsen, Brighton def., No. 7 Lucy Wallin, Skyline, 6-0, 6-2
• No. 3 Elle Martin, Park City def. No. 6 Maya Inouye, Orem, 7-6, 6-1

Semifinals (Oct. 1)

At Liberty Park

• No. 1 Sage Bergeson, Woods Cross def. No. 5 Lily Stohl, Olympus, 6-1, 6-2
• No. 2 Avery Olsen, Brighton def. No. 3 Elle Martin, Park City, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1

Finals (Oct. 1)

• No. 1 Sage Bergeson, Woods Cross def. No. 2 Avery Olsen, Brighton, 6-4, 7-5

Second singles

Play-in matches (Sept. 23)

• No. 17 Kate Barton, Salem Hills def. No. 16 Annalese Baumgardner, Uintah
• No. 9 Clare Bradley, Alta def. No. 24 Lily Scoville, Mountain View
• No. 13 Allison Chambers, Provo def. No. 20 Jane Snow, East
• No. 12 Damila Andrade, Hillcrest def. No. 21 Meg Butler, Stansbury
• No. 15 Sadie DeSpain, Lehi def. No. 18 Aliya Benson, Wasatch
• No. 10 Reese Fowles, Maple Mountain def. No. 23 Sarah Webb, Cedar Valley
• No. 19 Paige Liston, Orem def. No. 14 Sophia Robison, Viewmont
• No. 11 Ellie Spangler, Brighton def. No. 22 Christina Eyring, Bountiful

Round of 16 (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Emmy Richards, Woods Cross def. No. 17 Kate Barton, Salem Hills, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 9 Clare Bradley, Alta def. No. 8 Amelia Linscott, Cottonwood, 6-3, 6-1
• No. 4 Hailey Miner, Timpview def. No. 13 Allison Chambers, Provo, 6-2, 6-1
• No. 5 Rachel Heimburger, Skyline def. No. 12 Camila Andrade, Hillcrest, 6-1, 6-0
• No. 2 Elisabeth Carter, Olympus def. No. 15 Sadie DeSpain, Lehi, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 7 Amanda Felix, Springville def. No. 10 Reese Fowles, Maple Mountain, 6-2, 6-1
• No. 3 Reagan Harrison, Park City def. No. 19 Paige Liston, Orem, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 11 Ellie Spangler, Brighton def., No. 6 Lucy Foulks, Highland, WD

Quarterfinals (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Emmy Richards, Woods Cross def. No. 9 Clare Bradley, Alta, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 5 Rachel Heimburger, Skyline def. No. 4 Hailey Miner, Timpview, 6-3, 7-5
• No. 2 Elisabeth Carter, Olympus def. No. 7 Amanda Felix, Springville, 6-1, 6-0
• No. 3 Reagan Harrison, Park City def. No. 11 Ellie Spangler, Brighton, 6-0, 6-1

Semifinals (Oct. 1)

At Liberty Park

• No. 1 Emmy Richards, Woods Cross def. No. 5 Rachel Heimburger, 6-2, 6-0
• No. 2 Elisabeth Carter, Olympus def. No. 3 Reagan Harrison, Park City, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5

Finals (Oct. 1)

• No. 1 Emmy Richards, Woods Cross def. No. 2 Elisabeth Carter, Olympus, 6-1, 6-4

Third singles

Play-in matches (Sept. 23)

• No. 16 Bailey Smith, Spanish Fork def. No. 17 Maloree West, Brighton
• No. 9 Sowmya Paritala, Hillcrest def. No. 24 AUbrey Claderwood, Wasatch
• No. 13 Gracie Decker, Orem def. No. 20 Phoebe Dallimore, Bonneville
• No. 12 Brooklyn Renfro, Alta def. No. 21 Alexa Merrell, Uintah
• No. 15 Halle Murphy, Springville def. No. 18 Emmeline Burnett, Lehi
• No. 10 Kennadee Gillette, Maple Mountain def. No. 23 Abby Hyatt, Mountain View
• No. 19 Mackenzee Nicholss, Salem Hills def. No. 14 Hailey Johnson, Bountiful
• No. 11 Olivia Kelemen, Provo def. No. 22 Kate Campbell, Cottonwood

Round of 16 (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Emi Dowdell, Olympus def. No. 16 Bailey Smith, Spanish Fork, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 9 Sowmya Paritala, Hillcrest def. No. 8 Annabella Uffens, Viewmont, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4
• No. 4 Olivia Tarmina, Park City def. No. 13 Gracie Decker, Orem, 6-0, 6-1
• No. 5 Mylie Cravens, Timpview def. No. 12 Brooklyn Renfro, Alta, 6-1, 6-1
• No. 2 Elle Dykstra, Skyline def. No. 15 Halle Murphy, Springville, 6-1, 6-2
• No. 7 Caroline Hardy, East def. No. 10 Kennadee Gillette, Maple Mountain, 6-3, 6-2
• No. 3 Grace Harman, Highland def. No. 19 Mackenzee Nicholls, Salem Hills, 6-3, 6-2
• No. 6 Rachel Preston, Woods Cross def. No. 11 Olivia Kelemen, Provo, 6-3, 6-4

Quarterfinals (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Emi Dowdell, Olympus def. No. 9 Sowmya Paritala, Hillcrest, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 4 Olivia Tarmina, Park City def. No. 5 Mylie Cravens, Timpview, 6-4, 6-1
• No. 2 Elle Dykstra, Skyline def. No. 7 Caroline Hardy, East, 6-0, 6-1
• No. 6 Rachel Preston, Woods Cross def. No. 3 Grace Harman, Highland, 6-4, 6-3

Semifinals (Oct. 1)

At Liberty Park

• No. 1 Emi Dowdell, Olympus def. No. 4 Olivia Tarmina, Park City, 6-1, 6-2
• No. 2 Elle Dykstra, Skyline def. No. 6 Rachel Preston, Woods Cross, 6-2, 6-3

Finals (Oct. 1)

• No. 1 Emi Dowdell, Olympus def. No. 2 Elle Dykstra, Skyline, 6-0, 6-2

First doubles

Play-in matches (Sept. 23)

• No. 17 Abigail Pickard/Sydney Adams, Timpanogos def. No. 16 Kaylee Jo Huber/Olivia Pope, Uintah
• No. 9 Annie Clark/Lily Sampson, Highland def. No. 24 Aleah Hermanson/Kate Ethington, Spanish Fork
• No. 13 Shaylee DeHart/Madison Graham, Salem Hills def. No. 20 Eliza Tagge/Summer Lawrence, Wasatch
• No. 21 Sophie Shrader/Myra O’Farrell, Jordan def. No. 12 Lydia Templeman/Halle Black, Springville
• No. 15 Sadie Erickson/Anna Fillmore, Viewmont def. No. 18 Alexa Turley/Lucy West, Alta
• No. 10 Laura Hammer/Andisyn Ball, Maple Mountain def. No. 23 Jacklyn Wei/Lily Greenwood, Hillcrest
• No. 19 Kylee Nielson/Alyssa Wheeler, Lehi def. No. 14 Rebekah Palmer/Summer Willis, Bountiful
• No. 11 Clara Parkin/Lucy Bell, East def. No. 22 McKenzie Checketts/Dorrie Twede, Cedar Valley

Round of 16 (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Sophie Dowdell/Morgan Longson, Olympus def. No. 17 Abigail Pickard/Sydney Adams, Timpanogos, 6-1, 6-2
• No. 8 Kalli Olsen/Chanel Mansell, Brighton def. No. 9 Annie Clark/Lily Sampson, Highland, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1
• No. 4 Kylie O’Connell/Lucie Holyoak, Skyline def. No. 13 Shaylee DeHart/Madison Graham, Salem Hills, 6-0, 6-1
• No. 5 Julia Baker/Claire McNairy, Orem def. No. 21 Sophie Shrader/Mya O’Farrell, Jordan, 6-1, 6-4
• No. 2 Kendall Woods/Ruby Call, Timpview def. No. 15 Sadie Erickson/Anna Fillmore, Viewmont, 6-0, 6-0
• No. 7 Emery Petersen/Hailey Wilcox, Provo def. No. 10 Laura Hammer/Andisyn Ball, Maple Mountain 6-4, 6-4
• No. 3 Chloe Hawkins/Ruby Robbins, Woods Cross def. No. 19 Kylee Nielson/Alyssa Wheeler, Lehi, 6-4, 6-3
• No. 11 Mia Jamrich/Alysa Inglish, Park City def. No. 11 Clara Parkin/Lucy Bell, East, 6-3, 6-2

Quarterfinals (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Sophie Dowdell/Morgan Longson, Olympus def. No. 8 Kalli Olsen/Chanel Mansell, Brighton, 6-7, 6-2, 6-1
• No. 4 Kylie O’Connell/Lucie Holyoak, Skyline def. No. 5 Julia Baker/Claire McNairy, Orem, 6-2, 6-3
• No. 2 Kendall Woods/Ruby Call, Timpview def. No. 7 Emery Petersen/Hailey Wilcox, Provo, 6-2, 6-2
• No. 11 Mia Jamrich/Alysa Inglish, Park City def. No. 3 Chloe Hawkins/Ruby Robbins, Woods Cross, 6-1, 6-1

Semifinals (Oct. 1)

At Liberty Park

• No. 1 Sophie Dowdell/Morgan Longson, Olympus def. No. 4 Kylie O’Connell/Lucie Holyoak, Skyline, 7-5, 6-0
• No. 2 Kendall Woods/Ruby Call, Timpview def. No. 11 Mia Jamrich/Alysa Inglish, Park City, 6-4, 6-4

Finals (Oct. 1)

• No. 1 Sophie Dowdell/Morgan Longson, Olympus def. No. 2 Kendall Woods/Ruby Call, Timpview, 6-1, 6-0

Second doubles

Play-in matches (Sept. 23)

• No. 16 Emma Christenson/Chloe Tuttle, Alta def. No. 17 Harli Williams/Kayloni, Raymond
• No. 9 Madeline Limback/Martina Cavieres, Park City def. No. 24 Allie Trapnell/Kallie Kunz, Mountain View
• No. 20 Phoebe Roberts/Sophie Hopkin, Brighton def. No. 13 Breanna Villegas/Sarah Cowdell, Jordan vs.
• No. 12 Cara Vogrinec/Catherine Gladwell, Viewmont def. No. 21 Ashley Young/Annie Pinegar, Cottonwood
• No. 15 Mylee McAllister/Annmarie Jones, Lehi def. No. 18 Ruby Pope/Sophie Astle, Provo
• No. 10 Abi Graff/Alyssa Boucha, Bountiful def. No. 23 Ava Butler/Ava Booker, Hillcrest
• No. 14 Jane Luster/Chezney Davies, Wasatch def. No. 19 Lizzie Moore/Dylan Williams, East
• No. 11 Marley Weeks/Sydnee Nicholss, Salem Hills def. No. 22 Kylee Smith/Ashlee Funk, Stansbury

Round of 16 (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Alexandra Rawlings/Wilhelmina Hoggan, Olympus def. No. 16 Emma Christenson/Chloe Tuttle, Alta, 6-0, 6-2
• No. 9 Madeline Limback/Martina Cavieres, Park City def. No. 8 Emma Beesley/Ella Bradford, Highland, 7-6, 1-6, 7-6
• No. 4 Sydney Kemp/Kenna Cowley, Woods Cross def. No. 20 Phoebe Roberts/Sophie Hopkin, Brighton, 6-0, 6-3
• No. 5 Madison Olsen/Lexi Maltby, Maple Mountain def. No. 12 Cara Vogrinec/Catherine Gladwell, Viewmont, 6-1, 6-1
• No. 2 Lucy Nebeker/Caroline Larsen, Timpview def. No. 15 Mylee McAllister/Annmarie Jones, Lehi, 6-3, 6-2
• No. 7 Britta Broberg/Nadia Templeman, Springville vs. No. 10 Abi Graff/Alyssa Boucha, Bountiful, 6-1, 7-5
• No. 14 Jane Luster/Chezney Davies, Wasatch def. No. 3 Lily Soulier/Macey Thompson, Skyline, 7-5, 6-3
• No. 11 Marley Weeks/Sydnee Nicholls, Salem Hills def. No. 6 Catheine McCann/Ava Stratton, Orem, 7-6, 6-2

Quarterfinals (Sept. 29)

• No. 1 Alexandra Rawlings/Wilhelmina Hoggan, Olympus def. No. 9 Madeline Limback/Martina Cavieres, Park City, 6-0, 6-2
• No. 4 Sydney Kemp/Kenna Cowley, Woods Cross def. No. 12 Cara Vogrinec/Catherine Gladwell, Viewmont, 6-2, 6-3
• No. 7 Britta Broberg/Nadia Templeman, Springville def. No. 2 Lucy Nebeker/Caroline Larsen, Timpview, 6-4, 6-1
• No. 14 Jane Luster/Chezney Davies, Wasatch def. No. 11 Marley Weeks/Sydnee Nicholls, Salem Hills, 7-5, 6-3

Semifinals (Oct. 1)

At Liberty Park

• No. 1 Alexandra Rawlings/Wilhelmina Hoggan, Olympus def. No. 4 Sydney Kemp/Kenna Cowley, Woods Cross, 6-3, 7-5
• No. 7 Britta Broberg/Nadia Templeman, Springville def. No. 14 Jane Luster/Chezney Davies, Wasatch, 6-3, 6-1

Finals (Oct. 1)

• No. 7 Britta Broberg/Nadia Templeman, Springville def. No. 1 Alexandra Rawlings/Wilhelmina Hoggan, Olympus, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5