Bonanza claims Sunset team title

Spencer Patterson

Thursday, Oct. 11, 2001 | 10:05 a.m.

When his team lost last year's 4A state title by just half a point, Bonanza boys tennis coach Rick Niemczewski thought it might be a long time before his program got a shot at redemption.

As it turns out, the Bengals didn't have to wait long for that chance. They downed previously unbeaten Palo Verde 14.5-8 Wednesday at Durango to earn the Sunset Region team championship and a berth in next week's state tournament.

"We lost six seniors, and we had a lot of new faces, young kids, so I thought it would be a rebuilding year," Nieczewski said. "But the kids did the job. They came through under pressure."

The Bengals (16-1) won largely on the strength of their doubles play, capturing seven of nine doubles sets for 10.5 points. Eric Hinckley and Zach Anderson led the way, winning their three sets by 6-1 scores.

Chris Wilson contributed three singles victories for Bonanza, including a 6-4 win over Romik Yeghnezary, No. 1 singles player for the Panthers (14-0).

"We were hoping to get certain matchups, and we did, but that's only half the battle," Nieczewski said. "The other half was getting the results, and the kids did that."

Green Valley took home the Sunrise Region boys title, besting host Silverado 16-6.5. Both squads advance to next week's four-team state tournament, slated for Oct. 18-19 at UNLV's Fertitta Complex.

The Gators' Jon Fayeghi and Zach Porter paired up for three doubles wins, as did teammates Ryan Lorenz and Jason Harper.

On the girls side, last year's two state finalists earned return trips to the event, with Bishop Gorman ousting Bonanza 16-6.5 at Western and defending state champion Silverado overcoming host Green Valley 17.5-5.

Carrie Schofield and Noel Kessler both went 3-0 in singles play for the Gaels, while the Skyhawks swept the doubles competition in their win.

Boys and girls individual singles and doubles play begins today in both regions and continues through Saturday's championship rounds, scheduled for 2 p.m. at Western.