High school girls tennis: Brighton’s Olsen rolls to No. 1 singles title, but Oly’s depth boosts Titan girls to 5A team crown

With the exception of Avery Olsen’s friends and family, few recognized the significance of her accomplishment at the 5A girls state tennis tournament at Liberty Park Saturday.

By claiming the 1st singles crown, Olsen became the first Brighton athlete to earn an individual singles title in at least a decade. She marched through the competition in No. 1 singles just like she had all season and earned 15 of her squad’s 19 points.

Olsen was thrilled to finish the season with a win she narrowly missed last season. However, her effort wasn’t enough to dethrone Olympus, which won the team title for the second straight year thanks to its impressive depth.

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The Titans took first place with 60 points, followed by Woods Cross 45, Skyline 32 and Timpview 27. Brighton was next, followed by Springville and Wasatch had 13, and Bountiful and Maple Mountain 12.

Olympus won individual titles in No. 2 and No. 3 singles, and claimed second place in doubles — behind the Woods Cross tandem of Ruby Robbins/Sage Bergeson and Lila Johnson/Sydney Kemp.

Oly coach Josh Carter celebrated the end of his first season as head coach the best way possible, and he said he was proud of everything his squad accomplished on a perfect early fall afternoon.

“We were feeling pretty confident,” said Carter. “We knew everyone in our region, and figured Woods Cross would be our toughest competition. I was really proud of how we competed.”

Carter said Emi Dowdell, his daughter, Elizabeth Carter, and Lily Stohl, were all near the top among his team’s best players, and determining where they would play in the lineup was a difficult decision all season.

Dowdell and Elizabeth Carter took titles in No. 2 and No. 3 singles. Stohl fell to Olsen in the finals, but her tough 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 semifinal win over Emmy Richards of Woods Cross is what likely clinched the Titans’ first-place trophy.

“That Brighton girl (Olsen) is the real deal, and we knew she would be tough to beat, but we had the depth and knew where we were against the rest of the competition,” coach Carter said.

Carter said he wasn’t sure how the Titans would celebrate after they all posed with the team trophy afterward, but Olsen happily accepted her individual UHSAA plaque that may stand out in the Brighton trophy case soon — likely not far from the team trophy the Brighton boys team claimed last spring.

“It was a fun season, and I was happy to play against so many of my friends,” Olsen said. “Every time we play, we make each other better. This will be something we can build on for the future.”

Olsen hopes her title will also make her future brighter as she tries to attract college recruiters.

“The high school season may be over, but I have a tournament (in Las Vegas) coming up next,” she said.