By Catherine Garrett | [email protected]

Corner Canyon High senior Sierra Strong returns as the girls tennis team’s lone state qualifier from a year ago at No. 2 singles as the Chargers navigate the tough Region 4. Seniors Mazie Purser, Lauren Ashton, Jacquelyn Marsh, Eisley Nestman and Emma Bench will also bring varsity experience to the squad this season.

Head coach Allison Rideout, in her third year, also noted the addition of freshmen Molly George and Eleanor Purser. “They both showed very well at tryouts and they are doing great working their way up the lineup,” she said.

Also on the 2022 CCHS team are Ellie Acki, Tayvee Ash, Izzie Bodell, Julianna Buchmiller, Kendyll Catmull, Kadee Goldberg, Olivia Hulme, Mia Judd, Kate Kessler, Brynn Lewis, Bridgette Marsh, Olivia Muir, Monet Oaks, Kate Ord, Shaelyn Preede, Sage Talbot and team manager Afton Bradley.

“Our focus this year is to establish strong team unity and really be there for each other,” Rideout said. “We have our work cut out for us as far as competition goes, but we are excited for the opportunity to play really good players. I would always rather lose to a great team and play at our best then beat a lower team and play down to their level. There are great lessons to be learned whether we win or lose and we will have all of those experiences this year.”

So far this season, Corner Canyon lost to Riverton 3-2 Aug. 9, with Strong winning her No. 2 singles match against Ashlyn Robbins 6-2, 3-2—where the Riverton senior retired in the second set—and Mazie Purser defeating Kaitlyn Davenport at No. 3 singles 6-3, 6-2.

Against Cottonwood Aug. 11, the Chargers won 4-1 with Strong defeating Kate Campbell at No. 2 singles 6-1, 6-2, Mazie Purser beating Addison Allen at No. 3 singles 6-0, 6-1, Marsh/Ashton winning their No. 1 doubles match over Isabella Morris/Ashley Young and Ord/Judd defeating Julia Moffatt/Kaitlyn Julian at No. 2 doubles 6-1, 6-1.

The CCHS squad also placed fifth among 15 teams at the Utah Valley Ashton Invitational Aug. 12-13.

Corner Canyon also defeated Mountain Ridge 3-2 while losing to Skyline 4-1. “The girls competed very well,” Rideout said. “We saw some big steps forward in a lot of their games. A huge shout out to Mazie Purser and Sierra Strong who both played incredibly solid singles matches against really tough players.”

Corner Canyon is also scheduled to face Brighton and Morgan before Region 4 matches with Pleasant Grove, American Fork, Lone Peak, Skyridge and Westlake. The JV Region tournament will be held Sept. 16-17 at Pleasant Grove with the Varsity tournament on Sept. 21-22. The 6A state tournament rounds begin Sept. 28 with the finals Oct. 6, 8 at Liberty Park.