Head Coach Rich Francey
Assistant Coach Jason Boe
Assistant Coach Susan Daynes

The 2024 girls tennis season was comprised of new challenges, new players, and extreme heat. We started the season on a very hot Monday morning, August 5. The team came prepared for the season and were, for the most part, in mid-season form. We also welcomed a few new players, both as incoming freshmen and incoming transfers. The team won a region championship as well as a second-place finish in the state tournament.

The Rowland Hall tennis team continued to play in the 3A northern region, which is composed mostly of schools that require some long bus rides. Before we started our region matches, we played a few 3A and 5A non-region matches and rolled into the region season very confident. The team had a very successful region season, losing only one very close match to Grantsville, 3-2. The team had proven to have a competitive lineup, which was one we stuck with the entire season.

With Elena Owens anchoring the team at #1 Singles, we had a new incoming transfer freshman at #2 Singles, Avalon O’Connell. Returning doubles state champion Frances Hodson moved to #3 Singles, while her partner from 2023, Ainsley Moore, remained at doubles, playing with an incoming freshman, Fiona Kean. Our #1 Doubles team was Jane Borst and another new junior transfer from Charleston, SC, Savanna O’Connell. This team proved to be very solid, as they took first in the region tournament, with a three-way tie with Grantsville and Morgan for first place.

At state, our entire lineup moved through to the semifinals after the first day with very convincing wins. On Saturday, our #1 Singles player and captain, Elena Owens, lost a very close match to the eventual #1 Singles champion, ending a remarkable four-year career at Rowland Hall. Avalon O’Connell also lost a tough semifinal, ending a terrific freshman season. #3 Singles player Frances Hodson lost a very close three-set final match, taking second place. Jane Borst and Savannah O’Connell won a thrilling state championship at #1 Doubles. Ainsley Moore also had a terrific season and took state at #1 Doubles, capping an undefeated season for them. Our #2 Doubles team, Ainsley Moore and Fiona Kean, won a thrilling three-set finals match to claim their individual state title.

At the conclusion of the tournament, amid a lot of confusion by the officials, we were declared co-state champions with Grantsville, but after a recount, Rowland Hall finished second in state. Still a magnificent season for this team!

Thanks need to go Jason Boe, who did a magnificent job working with the varsity players, and Susan Daynes, who handled junior varsity. Congratulations also to Izzy Utgaard, who won our annual JV tournament. Other JV players that made up our team were Aanika Boe, June Lasater, Sara Rayes, Grace Song, Ada Tyser, Mae Wakefield, and Samantha Wright. Mackenzie Boyer earned a varsity letter as our strongest supporter for the team!

The season officially ended with a wonderful banquet hosted by the Boes. At the banquet, the team and coaches warmly thanked Mrs. Hodson for her magnificent job as our team mother, a thankless task. It was a terrific season and congratulations to all!

2024 Awards:

• Mackenzie Boyer: Captains Award
• Jane Borst, Fiona Kean, Ainsley Moore, Savannah O’Connell: Co-MVPs
• Frances Hodson: Coaches Awards

We also would like to announce that Frances Hodson and Ainsley Moore earned Academic All-Region and Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA) Academic All-State honors.

Fall 2024 Team Members:
Aanika Boe
Jane Borst
Mackenzie Boyer
Frances Hodson
Fiona Kean
June Lasater
Ainsley Moore
Avalon O’Connell
Savanna O’Connell
Elena Owens
Sarah Rayes
Grace Song
Ada Tyser
Izzy Utgaard
Mae Wakefield
Samantha Wright