Caroline Daugherty of Valor Christian claimed the No. 1 singles individual title at the state tennis championships in Denver City Park on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for both herself and her school’s girls tennis program. As a sophomore, Daugherty showcased her mental toughness and skill on the court, defeating Chaparral junior Remi Nguyen in the finals with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
Reflecting on her previous disappointment at last year’s state tournament, Daugherty expressed her satisfaction with her performance this time around. She credited her ability to stay mentally tough and adapt to different playing styles as key factors in her success. Daugherty’s victory not only secured her first state title but also marked the first-ever individual title for Valor Christian’s girls tennis program.
In other matches, Fairview’s Jane Roth claimed the gold at No. 2 singles, while Ralston Valley’s Scarlett Lutz emerged victorious at No. 3 singles. Ralston Valley’s Adia Farling and Cassidy Gordon took home the No. 1 doubles title, and Cherry Creek’s Riley Loehr and Zoey Hao secured the win at No. 2 doubles. Ralston Valley also saw success in the doubles brackets, with wins in the No. 3 and No. 4 doubles categories.
With Cherry Creek and Ralston Valley both advancing multiple lines to the finals, the team state title on Tuesday promises to be a thrilling showdown between the two powerhouse programs. The competition and camaraderie displayed at the state championships highlight the talent and dedication of Colorado’s high school tennis players.