Last year’s unforgettable season will be a challenge for Steamboat Springs seniors Evan Quinn and Kelsey Norland to replicate, but the girls tennis team is poised to make a loud return to the state tournament with a load of talent this spring. 

The Sailors opened their season last weekend with a 4-3 team win over Durango. The crew then competed in the Western Slope Tournament with the top 4A and 5A schools in the area while Steamboat is a 2A school playing at the 3A level. 

Sophomore Dylan Quinn, the Sailors No. 3 singles player, took third overall in the tournament as Steamboat’s No. 1 singles player Lucia Del Haya and the tandem of Evan Quinn and Norland at No. 1 doubles each took fourth. Steamboat placed eighth out of 16 schools.

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“We are better than last year,” Evan Quinn said. “It is a lot of the same people. Everyone knows each other, and everyone knows how they play. People like their positions, and we have new people who have been playing in our programs for a couple years. Our team is better, and once we learn how to work together as a team and once we get in the groove of the season, bam.” 

On Friday, Steamboat hosted Glenwood Springs and Vail for a tri-meet in which the Sailors took care of business against the visiting Demons and swept all seven lines. Steamboat took on Vail on Saturday but struggled to keep the momentum alive.

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Norland and Evan Quinn had an intense match on the No. 1 doubles court, coming back after going down a set to send things to a tiebreaker. The girls lost the contest but remained positive after the match. 

With a couple years of experience playing doubles together, the pair is prepared to make big things happen again this year. Last season the two had a dream run in the state tournament and finished as the second overall No. 1 doubles team in 3A. 

Their experience together is what makes them such a strong force. 

“I’ve never found anyone with the same connection,” Norland said. “It makes it so much more enjoyable.”

The lone victory against Vail came from Del Haya, who secured a 6-3, 6-4 win. 

This season Del Haya is dedicating more time to her forehand take-back and adding more pace to her second serve. She hopes to be among the top No. 1 singles players in the state this season and contend for the state title. 

“I learned so much last year, and I know how everything is supposed to go and what to expect,” Del Haya said. “I went into it last year without knowing anything, but I think I have a better grip on what to do this year and I think I’ll get further this year. I have a lot to prove.” 

Friday, March 15, 2024

Steamboat Springs 7, Glenwood Springs 0
No. 1 singles — Lucia Del Haya def. GS, 6-4, 6-4.
No. 2 singles — Lyla Baker def. GS, 6-4, 7-6.
No. 3 singles — Dylan Quinn def. GS, 6-1, 6-1.
No. 1 doubles — Kelsey Norland and Evan Quinn def. GS, 6-0, 6-2.
No. 2 doubles — Amanda Dietrich and Leslie Jimenez def. GS, 6-0, 6-1.
No. 3 doubles — Emily Lopez and Taylor Rockford def. GS, 6-0, 6-1.
No. 4 doubles — Vanessa Dorr and Paloma Edinburg def. GS, 6-4, 6-3.