The Cottonwood Colts boys tennis team saved their best games for last. 

For most of the first part of the 2024-25 season, the Colts juggled their singles and doubles players around, looking for the right fit. 

That led to some difficult tennis from March 20 to April 21. Cottonwood lost 10 meetings in a row. 

Would the Colts figure things out in time for the postseason? 

The answer was yes, as Cottonwood defeated Draper APA 3-2 April 23 behind strong play from senior Jacob Edwards in first singles, 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4 as well as freshman Timothy Hsiao who won his second singles match 6-1 and 6-0. The doubles players didn’t fare as well for the Colts, and yet sophomore Jonah Evans won his third singles match 6-1 and 6-1 to give Cottonwood its first meeting win in more than a month. 

Still seeking that perfect formula, the coaches opted to trot out the freshman Hsiao in first singles against Tooele on Senior Night at Cottonwood April 24. He did not disappoint, winning 6-2, 3-6 and 6-3 en route to the Colts’ second straight meeting victory, by the score of 3-2. 

It was the second straight meeting that the Colts won 3-2, and yet it was the first time Cottonwood had won a Region 10 meeting all season. In addition to Hsiao’s victory, Edwards won his second singles showdown 6-1 and 6-2 and Evans yet again captured his third singles match in a slugfest, 5-7, 6-2 and 7-5. The doubles tandems for Cottonwood both fell in straight sets. 

How would the Colts respond at the Region 10 Championships? 

On May 2, Cottonwood opted to have both of its top singles guys play second singles—something that the coaches can choose to do if they wish. 

It was a wise move, as sophomore Jonah Evans won his third-round match 6-4 and 7-5 against a junior out of Jordan High. But Edwards lost his third-round match in straight sets and so did the doubles pairs, giving the Colts five total points and a fourth-place finish at the region tournament. 

Who would represent Cottonwood at the 4A state tournament on May 17? 

Hsiao was handed a No. 23 seed and a Round of 32 meeting against a player from Provo. The Cottonwood freshman fell 6-1 and 6-0 at Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park to end his season at 3-10 overall. 

In second singles, the Colts decided to gallop on with Edwards. Though he gave it his all, Edwards dropped his Round of 32 match as well, falling 6-1 and 6-3 to a player from Green Canyon [Logan]. The senior closed out his time at Cottonwood with a 4-9 record in 2024-25. 

Evans also lost his match to a player from Uintah 6-1 and 6-3, and wrapped up his 2024-25 season with a 6-5 record, the only Colt to finish with a record above .500. 

The Colts did not have any doubles team qualify for this 4A state tournament, and yet to have all three singles players qualify—including a freshman and a sophomore—may bode well for the future for this Cottonwood boys tennis program. 

The final verdict as a team was 45 wins and 127 losses in terms of sets, a winning percentage of 26.7. 

The Cottonwood boys tennis team for 2024-25 was: Ezekiel Ledesma, Alex Covili, Phoenix Snow, Spencer Thompson, Jacob Edwards, Scotty Luker, Peter Maughan, Tate Myres, Juan Martinez, Bronson Felt, Owen Peters, Noah Cannon, Timothy Hsiao, George Cannon, Charles Woodward, Adonai Ganazoui, Jude Coontz, Jonah Evans, Gavin Lauber, Rico Ruiz, Drew Evans and Asher Mackenzie. The team was coached by Matthew Kahn, assisted by Mark Hsiao and Stran Tassainer. λ