Kevin Foster is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Saguaro High School for AZPreps365.com.

Saguaro’s boys tennis team did not get the start to the season it was hoping for after falling to Shadow Mountain, despite its top two players playing nearly lights out.

“Watching everybody warm up, I was pretty sure that we were going to be way out-gunned at the top, and I was right, we got spanked, but I still had a feeling that we were in good shape for the rest,” said Shadow Mountain coach Craig Johnson.

Johnson was spot-on with his prediction. The Sabercats dominated at the top, crushing their opponents in first doubles and in first and second singles. 

William Healy stole the show for Saguaro. The junior and his first doubles partner, Justin Sowinkski, easily handled their opponents from Shadow Mountain. Healy dominated when he was up at the net using his power, and while he was back at the baseline using his finesse to hit the lines.

“We played together last year and have built up some good chemistry after making it pretty far in states last year,” Healy said about his partner, Sowinkski.

After winning in the doubles field, he then went on to play second singles for the Sabercats and beat his opponent, Gundry Furedy, in straight sets. Although this singles match was not as easy for Healy, he still looked dominant, winning 6-3, 6-3.

“In doubles I like playing at the net a lot, but in singles, on my forehand I have a lot of topspin so I kinda like to rip it and play from the baseline like Nadal,” said Healy.

The Sabercats dropped every match that either Healy or Sowinkski were not in, which speaks to the depth of both teams.

“I was really glad to see how well the guys remembered most of the things that we’ve been working on these past few weeks, and they all seem to find their own takeaways from their matches which is a good sign,” said Johsnon.

Their practice showed. Shadow Mountain was the more technically sound team, showcasing better strokes than the Saguaro players. They appeared more comfortable, even for being a pretty young team.

Even though Saguaro lost its first match of the year, there is still a lot of excitement around the team and its potential.

“This season is going to be real exciting. if this is how the rest of the season goes, no matter what it will be fun and it’ll be a great season,” said Johnny Corte, the third singles player and student body president for Saguaro.

Saguaro’s next match is at home on the Thursday against Raymond S. Kellis.