This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
When Manti became the first public school Class 2A team to win the state 2A girls' tennis championship since 1999 a year ago, the Templars did it in an unusual fashion.
They managed only one point in the three singles competitions but won both doubles events to earn an 11-9 victory over Waterford.
Manti will be among the favorites again Friday when the 2A tennis title will be decided at Liberty Park with play starting around 8 a.m. Expect Waterford, Rowland Hall, Wasatch Academy and St. Joseph to be in the mix as well.
The Templars' doubles teams enter with top South seeds. Abbey and Bailey Simons are the top seeds in No. 1 doubles while Karlee Lindhardt and Samantha Olsen are seeded first in No. 2 doubles.
Manti's could get singles points as well. Amanda Naylor is seeded second from the South in No. 1 singles, and Natchaya Thitivaraporn is competing in third singles.
Rowland Hall freshman Katie Foley holds the top seed in No. 1 from the North. San Juan senior Mary Royer, who finished second a year ago in No. 1, is the top South seed in No. 1.
– Tom Wharton