Tucson Salpointe defeated Oro Valley Ironwood Ridge 7-2 Monday to remain undefeated in one of the most difficult early-season schedules in boy's tennis.

After a rather easy 9-0 win over Marana Mountain View to start their season off last Tuesday, the Lancers outlasted Division I power Phoenix Desert Vista 5-4 a couple of days later. The win over Ironwood Ridge came next and Salpointe will host Nogales on Tuesday.

The Nighthawks lost to Nogales in the quarterfinal round last year and then Nogales lost to eventual state champion Tucson Catalina Foothills in the semifinal round. Catalina Foothills defeated Salpointe in the state championship match 5-3.

Catalina Foothills will host Salpointe on March 18 in a rematch. The Lancers will face Tucson Rincon the following week and then they will travel to defending D-I champion Phoenix Brophy Prep. In case you are counting, that's five playoff teams, one semifinalist and two state champions in the first seven matches of the year for Salpointe.

Ironwood Ridge is now 2-1 on the year and they look to reload under new head coach Michael Pastor with senior Ryan Knox leading the way. Knox took fourth two years ago and was the third seed last year before being upset in the quarterfinal round of the D-II playoffs.

Knox defeated Salpointe's Jack Amos 6-0, 6-0 to take the number one match Monday and he hopes to build on that experience.

"When I was a freshman we had a lot of great seniors but then we went through a rebuilding phase," Knox said. "I think we are very capable now that we have another group of seniors but we need to reach our potential. Amos beat me last time and even though he hasn't played in a while it was a win against a great opponent."

Amos comes from a rich tennis family with his older sister Lauren teaming up with cousin Courtney Amos to win several titles at Salpointe and his cousin Caroline is back at Salpointe after taking a year off to concentrate on her game.

Jack Amos was going to join Lauren and Courtney in the college ranks next year but he withdrew his commitment and will attend Michigan to get a business degree. "I think this year will be very exciting," said Amos.

"With Yash (Parikh) in the lineup I think we can make another deep run. We have a lot of potential and can challenge for state again."

Amos spent most of December and January in the hospital while he was battling an autoimmune disease so he has not reached his full potential quite yet. Parikh is the defending D-II singles champion but he was not available for the match against Ironwood Ridge.