SALT LAKE CITY — The Skyridge-Lone Peak neighborhood rivalry became larger Saturday afternoon and, along the way, the Falcons earned their first girls state tennis championship.
Lucy Droubay and Jaya Cluff won individual singles titles and Skyridge’s depth paid dividends earlier and that was enough for the team to add its second UHSAA-sanctioned trophy to the school’s cabinet.
“It feels good. (6A) is very competitive, and it will be tough for us next year. There’s a lot of good talent here.” — Skyridge coach Lindsey Rawstorne
“It feels good,” said coach Lindsey Rawstorne. “(6A) is very competitive, and it will be tough for us next year. There’s a lot of good talent here.”
After edging Lone Peak at the Region 4 tourney last week, Skyridge’s state crown came easier. The Falcons finished with 22 points. Lone Peak had 15, followed by American Fork and Weber (8 each), Layton and Pleasant Grove (7 apiece) and Bingham (6).
Skyridge and Lone Peak were the favorites coming into state, and the Falcons had a close lead going into Saturday’s play at Liberty Park. The difference came in the semifinals, where Skyridge had much more success and added so much to its point total that the outcome was decided before most of the finals matches occurred.
Rawstorne was proud of his state winners, but also noted senior Holly Schmidt fought through an injury to team with her sister, Cassie, to advance all the way to the semifinals. Also, Savannah Johnson, a sophomore playing No. 1 singles, earned several team points by making it to the championship match before falling to Weber sensation Jacque Dunyon.
“She was killed in region (tourney), but fought through that and came back and became our leader,” Rawstorne said. “For us, it all starts at the top and the rest of the team followed.”
Dunyon showed she might be the best player around with an impressive tournament showing. She finished an undefeated season with straight-set wins in all of her tourney matches and was primarily responsible for Weber’s third-place finish.
Emma Reynolds and Allie Story helped boost Lone Peak with their individual crown. They beat American Fork’s Ashley Cowie-Ashley Murdoch in No. 2 doubles.
Juliana Cooksey of Layton set up herself to be among the state’s best next year with convincing wins by winning No. 2 singles. The Lancers also showed some young talent and Rawstorne expects them to challenge for the team title in 2021.
6A State Tournament
At Liberty Park
Saturday’s results
Team scores
1, Skyridge 22. 2, Lone Peak 15. 3, American Fork, Weber 8. 5, Layton, Pleasant Grove 7. 7, Bingham 6. 8, Corner Canyon, Davis, West 4. 11, Riverton 2. 12, Clearfield, Fremont, Herriman 1.
First singles
Semifinals
Jacque Dunyon (Weber) def. Riya Soneji (West) 6-1, 6-2
Savannah Johnson (Skyridge) def. Grace Weichers (Corner Canyon) 6-2, 6-2
Championship
Dunyon def. Johnson 6-0, 6-0
Second singles
Semifinals
Juliana Cooksey (Layton) def. Sydney Gardner (Lone Peak) 6-3, 6-0
Lucy Droubay (Skyridge) def. Avery Pack (Bingham) 6-0, 7-5
Championship
Droubay def. Cooksey 6-3, 6-1
Third singles
Semifinals
Jaya Cluff (Skyridge) def. Ashlyn Robbins (Riverton) 6-0, 6-0
Mikayla Randall (Lone Peak) def. Lauryn Brown (American Fork) 6-3, 6-2
Championship
Cluff def. Randall 6-2, 6-2
Second doubles
Semifinals
Payton Carroll/Kylee Sperry (Skyridge) def. Claire Pitts/Lizzie Muir (Lone Peak) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1
Macey Amussen/Chloie Brinton (Pleasant Grove) def. Cassidy Rich/Jane Dorny (Corner Canyon) 7-6 (1), 7-5
Championship
Amussen/Brinton def. Carroll/Sperry 6-0, 6-2
Second doubles
Semifinals
Ashley Cowie/Ashley Murdoch (American Fork) def. Cassie Schmidt/Holly Schmidt (Skyridge) 7-6 (3), 6-4
Emma Reynolds/Allie Story (Lone Peak) def. Jacey Robins/Kaitlyn Oniki (Bingham) 7-6 (4), 6-1
Championship
Reynolds/Story def. Cowie/Murdoch 7-6 (5), 6-1