Panther boys tennis team to compete at Western Slope tourney

Panther boys tennis team to compete at Western Slope tourney

September 13, 2001

STAFF REPORT

GRAND JUNCTION — The annual Western Slope Invitational takes the spotlight this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14-15, for the Montezuma-Cortez High School varsity boys tennis team.

The Panthers will get an opportunity to see such schools as Steamboat Springs, Delta, Montrose, Cedaredge, Grand Junction High, Central of Grand Junction, Fruita-Monument, Palisade, and some teams from the Front Range. Last year, perennially 5A power Cherry Creek from Denver participated.

After having not played since Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at Grand Junction High and Central of Grand Junction, respectively, the Panthers will finally get back into competition.

Grand Junction's tennis team lost just five games on the way to its fourth straight team victory, a 7-0 sweep over Montezuma-Cortez.

"I thought the level of play was significantly improved. Both Billy Innis and Jeff Anderson, no. 1 and no. 2 singles, played hard and they displayed good court movement," MCHS head coach Jim Harkendorff remarked. "Jeff took his opponent to deuce quite a few times, which is indicative of a hard-fought match."

Tiger Ryan Fante claimed a 6-0, 6-1 win over Innis and GJHS’ Daniel Findlay followed with a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Anderson. Jason Dominguez swept Panther Troy Tanner 6-0, 6-0.

"The no. 3 doubles team of Noah Rouscher and Mark Sturdevant battled their opponents pretty evenly the first few games, while looking sharp at times. Overall, the team didn’t play badly, but couldn’t find a chink in the Tiger armor. Grand Junction should be in contention at the State Class 5A level this year," he added.

In doubles, MCHS’ no. 1 team of David Wilcken-Devin Perkins lost 0-6, 1-6 to Mike Pacini and Elias Bocha; no. 2 Sean Carey-Seth Hollar fell 0-6, 0-6, to Lars Irion and Brandon Gregg; no. 3 Rouscher-Sturdevant lost 2-6, 0-6 to Adam Aleinger 2-6, 0-6; and no. 4 Kirk Archibeque-Jake Conrads fell 0-6, 0-6 to Greg Hackett and Will Meyer.

Cortez looked strong at singles and mid-doubles against Central, losing the team score 2-5.

"Innis came out smoking and overwhelmed his opponent with an all-court consistent game. Anderson crushed his opponent by utilizing a variety of well-placed hard-hit top-spins and some off-speed slices. Tanner dropped the first set without much noise, but turned it up in the second set to tie the set at 5-all. The Central opponent pulled it out 5-7, but only after a spirited effort by Troy," Harkendorff recalled.

Innis defeated Rob Clark 6-2, 6-4. Anderson won 6-4, 6-2 and Tanner lost to Octavio Vargus 2-6, 5-7.

"On the doubles side, only the no. 2 team of Carey-Hollar was in contention up until the end of the second set. The no. 4 team of Archibeque-Conrads were playing together for the first time and they should improve," he noted.

Wilcken-Perkins lost 0-6, 2-6 to Brett Krueger and Scott Brett. Carey-Hollar were beaten 4-6, 3-6 by Josh Henson and Josh Sharp. Rouscher-Sturdevant lost to Jake VanWagoner and John Hoey 4-6, 1-6. Archibeque-Conrads lost 2-6, 1-6 to Chard Piper and Sam Morrison.