Panthers tennis blasted by Grand Junction

Of the Montezuma-Cortez High School tennis team’s many losses this season, the latest may have been the worst.

Playing at home against Grand Junction on Sept. 27, the Panthers lost all seven of their matches and won only one game the entire day.

That game win belonged to M-CHS No. 2 singles player Samir Berrada, who lost to Matthew Ness 6-0, 6-1.

At No. 1 singles, Cody Canzona lost to Brian List 6-0, 6-0 and at No. 3 singles, Rory Walker lost to Ben Arja, 6-0, 6-0.

Competing at No. 1 doubles, M-CHS’s Xavier Eddy and Noah Porter were defeated by Ty Gardner and Tommy Mahre, 6-0, 6-0, and at No. 2 doubles, Jace Mueller and Grant Gasaway were defeated by Ian Hegstrom and Sam Shaver, 6-0, 6-0.

In the No. 3 doubles match, Zach Lampson and Rowdy Veach lost to Ryan Bowen and Matt Miller, 6-0, 6-0, and in the No. 4 doubles match, Keelyn Chandler and Billy Broughten were defeated by Sam Welling and Adam Dow, 6-0, 6-0.

“(Grand Junction) was incredible,” said M-CHS coach Trena Walker. “On the upside, we were winning points within the game. I was very pleased with the rallies and how we did.”

Next up for the Panthers will be the Class 4A Region 8 Tournament, Oct. 2-3 in Delta.

“It’s going to be tough because we’re going to be seeded so low,” said Walker.