“It’s a nice change to have competition for the top spots within our team,” said coach Ed DeFrancia. “Most years it’s a foregone conclusion who is No. 1, but now we have guys pushing each other. It makes all of them better players.”
DeFrancia said doubles is always more of a challenge, “essentially because it’s a very different game,” involving teamwork, strategy, communication, and positioning, “which poses much greater difficulty in producing good teams.”
The current doubles teams for GCHS are Zach Johnson and Kris Kemp (No. 1), and Kory Sheldon and Swain Begaye (No. 2).
“Both are improving, but have a ways to go,” DeFrancia said. He noted that the number of Grand players has steadily increased since the season began. At the season start, DeFrancia had 11 players but now 16 are turning out for practice, he said. Returning players include Matz Indergard, Brandon Johnson, and Russell Minor, along with a large number of first year players: Kemp, Cameron Butler, Trenton White, Evan Schilling, Macrae Olsen, Dalon Bradshaw, and Chad Hathaley.
The season began with a home match against Maeser Prep, which fielded a very inexperienced team. Grand cruised to an easy 5-0 win. At the end of March, the team made its annual trip to compete at the St. George Invitational, a competitive tournament that includes 3A to 5A schools.
“Excepting Box Elder and Dixie, who have fantastic players, our boys were more competitive than we have ever been,” DeFrancia said.
After falling to Payson 3-2, and then Box Elder and Dixie, Grand played Desert Hills High School No. 2, winning 4-1. That put the Red Devils in a final match against Uinta.
“A couple of key points in No. 2 and No. 3 singles could have swung the match in our favor, but experience seemed to be the difference,” DeFrancia said. “The nice part of that match is that former Red Devil Jared Scow is now the coach at Uinta. It’s a compliment the see that tennis is spreading.”
The Red Devil junior varsity team took part in a separate tournament in St. George. Kemp and Butler played singles, and Grand’s doubles teams were White and Bradshaw and Olsen and Schilling. None of Grand’s competitors won a match, but all gained valuable experience, DeFrancia said.
The region season began with South Sevier visiting Moab on April 6, and the team notched its first win, 3-2. Singles players all won, with Martin needing three sets to seal his victory. Doubles couldn’t quite put it together, with Johnson and Indergard at No. 1 and Begaye and Sheldon at No. 2.
At Millard on April 8, Grand swept the match, 5-0. “Millard has nearly all new players, but were more competitive than we expected,” DeFrancia said. “It was nice for everyone to chalk up wins.”
Grand’s second match of the day, against Parowan, was also held at Millard because Parowan’s tennis courts are not usable at this time. Martin experienced back and breathing problems, and had to retire in the second set.
“He was playing exceptionally well, but physically couldn’t continue,” DeFrancia said. “It was unfortunate.”
Hazlett finally came through in three sets to remain undefeated in region play. Lewis was also playing some of his best tennis, but cramping got the better of him, according to the coach. Lewis dropped the match in three sets.
Grand’s doubles teams struggled and both lost in straight sets. Indergard played a No. 4 singles match, and held steady before losing a pro set, 8-6.
“That one was just plain fun,” DeFrancia said. “Matz has definitely found his niche.”
Neither Millard nor Parowan had JV players, so no other boys got match time.
The Red Devils are scheduled to compete in home matches against San Juan on Tuesday, April 12, Carbon on Friday, April 16, and Gunnison on Monday, April 19. The team has away matches scheduled at South Sevier and Gunnison on April 14.