SUNRISE TENNIS: Silverado’s Theophil claims girls singles title

She opted to join Silverado’s girls team prior to this season and hasn’t looked back.

Theophil capped off an impressive run through the Sunrise Region girls singles draw Tuesday with a 6-0, 6-2 win over Green Valley’s Daria Shalina at the Darling Tennis Center.

“The past three years, I just played with the same academy,” Theophil said. “It’s kind of like a family, but it’s more competitive, I guess. I just wanted to get away from that and have another group experience and meet new kids.

“I wanted a chance to be able to play at state.”

A student at Odyssey Charter School, Theophil is zoned for Silverado.

Not many in the Sunrise were aware of Theophil’s ability on the court. It didn’t take her long to get noticed.

“I think I caught people by surprise,” said Theophil, who lost only seven games in her eight region tournament sets.

Against Shalina, Theophil rattled off the first 10 games off the match, keeping nearly every ball hit her way in play.

“I’m very defensive,” Theophil said. “I started off really strong. I was playing defensive, but I wasn’t looping the ball; I was hitting good shots.”

Shalina finally broke serve to get on the board and consolidated the break to trail 4-2, but Theophil won the final two games to secure the region title.

Both players will compete in the individual portion of the state tournament, which begins Friday at the Darling center.

In girls doubles, Liberty twins Payton and Parker Burk won their third straight Sunrise title by defeating Silverado’s Megan Lopez and Criszelle Castro, 6-3, 6-4.

BOYS

Green Valley’s Mackay Boman was a Sunrise doubles champion last year.

He added a singles title to his resume on Tuesday.

Boman completed a dominating run through the boys singles draw with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Foothill’s Billy Crawford.

“I was able to control the points,” Boman said. “I really reduced my unforced errors.”

Boman dropped just two games in his first three region tournament matches.

He teamed with John John to win the Sunrise doubles title last year.

“I thought I had a better chance to win state last year with John,” Boman said. “Coach gave me the choice again this year. I just like playing singles. I liked the draw that I had.”

In boys doubles, Coronado’s Ryland McDermott and Sam Grant, who played each other in last year’s region singles final, teamed to breeze to a 6-1, 6-1 win over Foothill’s Tristin Hansel and Lukas Werle.

McDermott and Grant lost just three games in four region tournament matches.