The Montezuma-Cortez High School boys tennis team won consecutive nonconference matches last Saturday at a neutral site in Delta.
The Panthers (3-1) shutout Cedaredge, 7-0, and beat Hotchkiss for the second time, 6-1, in the next match of the afternoon.
For the season, the Panthers have a 21-8 combined record between singles and double matches.
No. 2 singles player, sophomore Logan Dean, continued his fine play and remained unbeaten with two wins to move to 4-0. M-CHS coach Dan Wood feels Dean has a legitimate shot at reaching the state playoffs this year.
At No. 1 doubles, the senior duo of Nick Haukeness and Freeland Wegner won both of their matches in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0.
Having two tall, athletic seniors on one court gives our team an advantage when doubles play begins, Panthers assistant coach Steve Cathey said. These two have played together for years; they think as a unit, react as a unit and win as a unit. Even before play begins, they lead the team with their calm pre-match demeanor.
Senior Caleb Branson and sophomore Todd Underwood scored easy wins at No. 2 doubles as well.
By playing year round, Caleb has greatly improved. His serve has become a reliable weapon forcing weak returns time after time, Cathey said. Combine this with Todds quick, agile hands at the net, and youve got a serve-volley attack that few teams can withstand.
M-CHS is off this week before beginning 5A/4A Southwestern League play next Friday and Saturday at Grand Junction Central and Grand Junction at 4 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Although we are off to a winning season, this week, we will work hard on decreasing unforced errors, Wood said. We want our opponents to earn every point.
