The 2006 tennis season could prove to be a year of repeats for Catalina Foothills' boys and girls teams, which both earned return trips to the state team championship matches.
The girls advanced to today's Class 4A-I state team final with a 5-0 win over Nogales, and the boys earned a 5-0 sweep of Phoenix Pinnacle. Both will play Scottsdale Chaparral for state titles today at noon at Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale.
On the girls side, Anya Dalkin beat state runner-up Beatriz Bravo in a battle of Southern Arizona teams held at Desert View High School. Her win avenged two losses suffered earlier in the season.
"Anya really stepped up," Foothills coach Kristie Stevens said. "She played well, and her win really boosted the team."
The Falcons could join even rarer company today. Stevens and Foothills can extend the school's winning streak to seven state titles. No Arizona coach has won more than six in a row since Cherry Roberts of Miami won nine from 1974 to 1982.
People are also reading…
Foothills' boys are looking for their second straight title after Rincon/University took crowns in 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Boys volleyball
Palo Verde and Pueblo both advanced Monday in the first round of their regional tournaments.
Palo Verde faces Catalina Foothills in today's 4A Kino Regional semifinal after defeating Cienega 31-29 and 26-24. Pueblo will face Canyon del Oro after defeating Rincon/University 25-18, 25-16.
Both matches start at 6 p.m. at Sahuaro.
5 takeaways from Arizona football’s 34-7 victory over Cincinnati | Michael Lev
