Rams run through Cougars at state

WELLTON - Beginning with some disappointing news and ending with little fanfare, Monday's tennis match between Antelope and Phoenix Christian didn't offer many of the moments that tend to define a state tournament matchup.

Instead, the Rams continued to do what has defined their team, steamrolling opponents in singles play and keeping their historic season on the upslope.

Antelope won the first five singles matches of the day against the Cougars, eliminating the need to play doubles and advancing them to the semifinals of the 2A/3A Boys State Tennis Team Tournament with a 5-1 victory.

"I don't know if we've ever gone this far, and I've been around for about 20 years," Antelope coach Jeff Peters said. "We're not stressing or anything like that though. This is all gravy and the longer it lasts the better. my kids just love tennis and are enjoying the ride."

The hyped match of the day between state singles champion Andrew Reiff and Antelope No. 1 single Madison Murdock never reached the court when Reiff did not make the trip to Wellton because of illness.

"I was hoping to get to play him," Murdock said of Reiff, who is ranked No. 68 in the nation and lost only one game in his state championship run. "Word on the street is he's going pro, so I wanted to see how bad I might have got killed."

Murdock instead played Phoenix Christian's Sun Lee and made quick work of the lefty with a heavy dose of winners at the net for a 6-1, 6-1 win.

"I just tried to play consistent today," Murdock said. "It's weird playing other lefties. They put a different spin on the ball."

No. 3 single Aaron Skousen earned the Rams' first point, beating Ryan Cheries, 6-2, 6-0. Jay Mintzmyer was slowed down by a twisted ankle in the second set of his No. 2 singles match against Kyle Livingston, but still finished him off in straight sets, 6-3. 6-0.

"No one wants to win more than Jay," Peters said.

In the No. 6 singles, Sergio Perez avoided a tiebreaker set with a 6-1, 6-4 win to put the Rams ahead 4-0 with Jesus Leon and Jose Ponce still on court. Leon eventually lost his match to Jesse Gerkey 6-3, 2-6, 2-6, but not before Ponce quietly sealed the deal with a 7-5, 6-1 win.

"He's my silent rock," Peters said of Ponce, who has only lost two singles matches and one doubles match his senior year. "I'll be lost without him next year."

Antelope will play Thatcher or Desert Christian in the semis Friday at 1:45 p.m. at the Phoenix Tennis Center.