By Brian Bergner Jr.
Larson Newspapers
The boys tennis team at Sedona Red Rock High continues to dominate the competition with their most recent victim being Phoenix Christian Academy on Tuesday, April 7, as the Scorpions won, 8-1.
“Our boys should dominate the rest of the way; Phoenix Country Day was the only team to give us a loss,” Sedona head coach Larry Lineberry said.
With strength in the lineup from top to bottom, the Scorpions continued their winning ways on Tuesday by easily beating Phoenix Christian.
The Eagles didn’t stand a chance on Sedona’s home court and with No. 1 senior Luke Dumyahn beating his opponent, 6-1, 6-0, the Scorpions were off and running.
“Luke [Dumyahn] has been very strong this season. He should challenge for a state title this season,” Lineberry said.
Next came Andy Swartout who dominated his Phoenix Christian opponent as well with a 6-1, 6-0 victory.
Freshman Ian O’Heir’s match was a bit tougher, but in the end his 6-3, 6-2 victory seemed not so close.
Other top performances in singles included Jade Lewis who has become a smart tennis player as Lineberry says, while using his athletic ability to put opponents away.
His 6-3, 5-7, [10-4] win on Tuesday was a pure gut job as Lewis was under the weather, fighting through his sickness for the win.
Senior Grahm Greenfield was stellar as well with a 6-2, 6-2 win, while teammate Nate Sweet won a match tiebreaker, 6-4, 5-7, [10-6].
In doubles, Sedona lost only one match as No. 1 doubles team Greenfield and Swartout dominated for an 8-2 win, while O’Heir and Sweet dominated in their match for a 8-4 victory.
“We have the talent and the experience to go far this season. We should be able to defeat the next few teams we play and tune it up for state,” Lineberry said.
Girls Improve
Lineberry believes that despite an 8-1 loss to Phoenix Christian on Tuesday, the girls tennis team at Sedona has seen vast improvement in many aspects of their game and their overall team play.
“I’m proud of our girls for what they’ve done this season. Their technique has improved, and they strive to get better every day,” Lineberry said.
Senior Lina Kraehenmannn, a transfer student from Germany, was the only Scorpion to get a victory on Tuesday with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over her Eagles opponent on Tuesday.
It is her second win in singles play on the season.
Next Up
The Scorpions have a long way to go before crowning themselves 1A-3A West region champions with matches against Bourgade Catholic High [Friday, April 17], Northwest Christian Academy [Monday, April 20] and Scottsdale Christian Academy [Tuesday, April 21] yet to go, but Lineberry is confident in his team.
“We’ve played well so far this year and I think we will continue to do so,” Lineberry said.
The 1A-3A West regional meet is scheduled to begin Friday, April 30, with the 1A-3A state playoffs beginning on Friday, May 8.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
