46°F
weather icon Clear

Eagles eye another state title

Coaches for the Boulder City High School’s boys tennis program expect it to be among the top contenders for this season’s 3A state championship after winning back-to-back titles.

Looking to claim their third consecutive state championship, the Eagles bring back an experienced core that went 20-0 in league play last season.

“Experience is really big — not only knowing how to play but getting used to the pressure that comes with being on a team that everyone is chasing,” head coach Rachelle Huxford said. “Our guys know what it feels like to have this pressure. Going to the state tournament the past few years definitely gives them an advantage.”

The doubles tandem of seniors Boen Huxford and Preston Jorgensen return for the Eagles, with senior singles competitors Connor Mikkelson and Bretton Erlanger. Senior Ty Pendleton also returns to help the Eagles in either singles or doubles, depending on the team’s need.

All five players were named All-Southern Region first-team selections last season.

Back for an encore season, Boen Huxford and Jorgensen return after claiming their first individual state title last season, while Mikkelson finished as the state runner-up.

“We’re both really confident that we can go back to the individual state tournament,” Boen Huxford said. “There’s definitely some pressure to get back there and repeat as doubles champions, but it’s good pressure. It makes us want to do better than we did last season.”

Pendleton finished as a state runner-up in doubles play at state, while Erlanger lost in the quarterfinals.

Looking to schedule the best opponents they can to prepare their team, the Eagles will open their season on the road at 4A Foothill on Aug. 22, before hosting 4A Basic on Aug. 26. Their toughest match of the season comes Aug. 29 against perennial 3A power The Meadows, which the Eagles have beaten the past two seasons in the state championship game.

“It’s tough replaying the state championship match right out of the gate,” Rachelle Huxford said. “It rough for both teams because your biggest competition comes at the beginning of the season. We’re hopeful our matches against Foothill and Basic will help us get some of the early season jitters out and let us work through some things with our lineup.”

Going undefeated the past two seasons, the Eagles will look to make it a third consecutive season despite their gantlet of tough matches to begin the season.

“There’s definitely pressure for us to go undefeated again,” Rachelle Huxford said. “I also think losing makes you a better winner and makes you hungrier, so either way whatever comes down during our first couple matches will help make us a better team in the end.”

Contact Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
All for a good cause

Photos by Ian Cruz/Boulder City Review

Home-course edge helps Eagles soar

Competing at Boulder City Municipal on March 26, Boulder City High School boys golf defeated Pahrump Valley (359) and Canyon Springs (486).

Volleyball upends defending state champs

Already the pride of the 3A classification, Boulder City High School boys volleyball took the next step in their dominance, defeating 4A state champion Basic on March 31.

Eagles above .500 with win

Finishing 2-1 in this last week’s slate, Boulder City High School baseball advanced to 9-8 on the season after some late inning heroics.

Eagles play comeback kids

Boulder City High School baseball advanced to 7-7 on the season, picking up victories in their last two outings.

Volleyball, track prove proficient

Advancing to 7-4 on the season, Boulder City High School boys volleyball routed Canyon Springs 3-0 on March 24.

Lady Eagles have outscored 3A foes 47-0

Picking up their third victory of the season against a 3A opponent, Boulder City High School softball routed Western 19-0 on March 24.

Eagles perfect against 3A schools

Remaining undefeated against 3A opponents, Boulder City High School baseball routed Mojave and Democracy Prep during this past week’s play.

Eagles remain hot on court

Remaining undefeated in 3A play, Boulder City High School boys volleyball routed Western 3-0 on March 12.

Rogers hurls one-hitter against rival Moapa Valley

Starting the season with some momentum, the Lady Eagles remained undefeated in 3A play, picking up an impressive 13-0 victory over rival Moapa Valley on March 12.