The Corner Canyon High girls tennis squad was a top-10 team at the 6A state championships a year ago, but none of its returners played in those postseason matches. So, head coach Allison Rideout is focusing on getting her girls “match tough.”

“These girls have the skills but they need to develop the physical, emotional and mental stamina to get through the difficult matches,” she said.

Much of the varsity lineup will be led by sophomore Molly George, junior Tayvee Ash, junior Kate Ord, senior Kendyll Catmull, senior Brynn Lewis and junior Olivia Muir, according to Rideout.

The addition of five “talented” freshman—in Anna Dorny, Evelyn Marsh, Sophia Millich, Emily Creason and Ruchi Pawar—also has Rideout excited about the continued development of the program as the Chargers will now play teams closer to home in the new Region 3.

So far this season, Corner Canyon lost to American Fork 4-3 Aug. 8 with Ash beating Liberty Hardy 6-3, 6-3 at No. 1 singles, George defeating Olivia Bishop 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2 singles and Catmull/Millich beating Olivia Tingey/Emma Cowie 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 at No. 2 doubles.

At the Ashton Invitational Aug. 11-12, the Chargers defeated Springville and Pleasant Grove while losing to Green Canyon and Orem. 

Against Alta Aug. 14, Corner Canyon won 3-2 with George defeating Sariah Brown 6-1, 6-1 (No. 2 singles), Marsh beating Berkley Losser 6-2, 6-2 (No. 3 singles) and Olivia Muir/Kate Ord defeating 6-2, 4-6, 6-1 (No. 1 doubles).

In a 5-0 win over Copper Hills Aug. 15, George beat Paige Pack 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, Ash defeated Amy Bullock 6-0, 6-2 at No. 2 singles, Ord beat Ava Hind 6-1, 6-1 at No. 3 singles, Lewis/Muir defeated Annie Elzinga/Gretta Clayton 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 doubles and Catmull/Millich beat Lila Gudmundson/Mia Perry 6-1, 6-1 at No. 2 doubles.

The Chargers will also finish up Region 3 play against Riverton, Bingham, Herriman, Copper Hills and Mountain Ridge through mid-September while also competing at the St. George tournament Sept. 8-9. The first round of the 6A state tournament is scheduled for Sept. 23 at Corner Canyon with the later rounds Sept. 28, 30 at Liberty Park.

Also on the CCHS squad this season are Sophie Baldeson, Izzie Bodell, Sofia Bradley, Jules Buchmiller, Lucy Buehler, Kelley Dunn, Ella Hansen, Olivia Hulme, Clara Lucas, Elena Muir, Monet Oaks, Nanette Odion, Eleanor Purser, Brooklyn Renfro, Ellie Smythe, Claire Summerhays, Gabrielle Walker, Savannah White, London Wright, Megan Yamamoto and Sloane Young.

“We have a lot of work to do but we are up for the challenge,” Rideout said. “We are in a new region so we don’t really know what to expect there but we know the high level of competition that is waiting for us at State. We want to be ready!” λ