BEAR RIVER HIGH - By Tate Atkin, Headliner Sports Writer, April 7, 2022
In tennis terms love means nothing, or more accurately, a score of zero. Unfortunately for the 2022 Bear River High boys’ tennis team, they have written a sad love story this season with their fair share of heartbreak and loss. Their current record is 0-4 as well as a couple of rough finishes at two tournaments.
The Bears started the season at a tournament hosted by Ogden High School. They faced tough opponents from both Morgan High and Ogden High. Senior Wyatt Zollinger battled in second singles but fell short losing the match 6-1, 6-2. The Bear's third singles lost 6-2, 6-3. That was all the scoring for Bear River as the three doubles teams ended the tournament losing their matches 6-0, 6-0. With zero match wins the Bears did not place at the tournament.
On March 22, the Bears met up with Region 11’s Green Canyon Wolves in North Logan. They were able to win a few sets but were unsuccessful in winning any matches and lost to Green Canyon, 5-0.
The next match took place on March 24, at Sky View High as the Bears squared off against the Bobcats in region play. Bear River High senior Spencer Duncan competed in first singles but lost 6-2, 6-1. Zollinger lost the first set in the second singles, 6-0, but bounced back and won four sets before ultimately losing the match 6-4. Senior Dane Black fought in third singles but came up short losing 6-1, 6-2.
The highlight of the night for Bear River was the first doubles team of juniors Jack Pederson and Porter Woolley. They forced an extra set in their first match before losing, 7-5, but rallied to win the second set 7-6 (7-3). The third set didn't go their way however and lost 6-3. Second doubles were the young sophomore duo of Jexton Bodrero and Morgan Zollinger. They didn't muster up enough wins and lost their match 6-1, 6-3.
The Bears then welcomed Mountain Crest High on March 29. Although they lost as a team, 4-1, the Bears picked up their first match win of the season. Wyatt Zollinger took it to his opponent in first singles and won in spectacular fashion, 6-2, 6-4. Black and Duncan made things interesting in their second sets but it wasn't enough to win the match and the rest went in favor of the Mustangs.
The Bears had a quick turnaround and hosted the Grizzlies from Logan High on March 30. Other than Wyatt Zollinger winning his second set, things were again bleak for the Bears as they lost to the Grizzlies, 5-0.
On April 1, the Bear River High boys’ tennis team traveled to sunny St. George for the St. George Invitational. It was a disappointing tournament for the Bears as they finished in 8th place.
There are still a lot of matches to be played for the Bear River High boys’ tennis team when they return from spring break. They are hoping to get on a roll in April before the Region 11 championship tournament the first week of May.
The Bears will look to turn the page on their early season love story and write a happy ending to the 2022 tennis season.
Here is a look at the Bear River High boys’ tennis team’s upcoming schedule:
April 12 - @ Ridgeline 3 p.m.
April 14 - Green Canyon 3:30 p.m.
April 16 - @ Box Elder Tournament in Brigham City
April 18 - Grantsville 3:30 p.m.
April 21 - @ Mountain Crest 3:30 p.m.
April 26 - @ Logan 3:30 p.m.
April 28 - Ridgeline 3 p.m.
May 4-5 - Region 11 tournament at Green Canyon High
May 13-14 - 4A state championship tournament at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City