Perri Touché has coached the girls at Salpointe to five state championships (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010) and she has seen it all over the years, from playing at the University of Arizona to coaching the Lancers.

She has coached some of the best athletes to ever come out of Tucson. Remember Kendra Strohm? All she did was win four singles championships while losing only one set in four years.

Sisters Kate McGeorge and Maggie McGeorge paired up for two doubles championships while Maggie went on to win a 5A record-tying third championship with Christine Mordaunt as her partner.

Cousins Courtney Amos and Lauren Amos have won two doubles championships in a row and they are only juniors.

Meave McGeorge followed in her sister’s footsteps and went to the doubles quarterfinals with Nicole Whinery last season.

Guess what? There will be another Amos attending Salpointe next year. Caroline is Courtney’s little sister – it just doesn’t seem fair.

With all that coaching success one has to wonder why the AIA doesn’t seek out her advice, or others with similar knowledge, on how to run a state championship.

“It’s ridiculous,” explained Touché when asked about the new playoff system. She has little problem with the 128 players involved, for her it is all about the kids.

“We can get it done over a couple of weekend at the most,” she continued. “The way they have it now the playoffs will be during AP (Advanced Placement) Finals.”

She also suggests having some of the matches played in Tucson. I’m not sure that will ever happen.

Salpointe was the 2 seed last year but defeated top-seeded Xavier for the 5A-I state championship and they look to get back there – especially since they have everyone returning.

MORE PHOTOS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/andymorales/sets/72157626284901901/

The Lancers (13-0) hosted Rincon/UHS (7-5) on Friday at the Tucson Racquet Club and came out on top 8-1 in an important tune-up for what will be coming up next week for the team.

They will play 4th-ranked Desert Vista at home on April 4 and at top-ranked Xavier on April 6. The Lancers are currently ranked 2nd – it is the most difficult week in all of tennis.

Rincon/UHS has a tough match with Ironwood Ridge coming up on April 7 but coach Kathy Bielas should have Samantha Lund available for that match.

Lund did not play against Salpointe and Salpointe went without Courtney Amos, Claire Baxter, Meave McGeorge and Nicole Whinery due to club competition and prom duties.

Lund made it to the quarterfinals last year for Rincon/UHS as a 4 seed but the team was knocked out by Ironwood Ridge in the first round of the 5A-II playoffs and Emma Wohl graduated.

THE MATCH

Singles: Lauren Amos defeated Anik Regan 6-1, 6-1; Marilin Beard defeated Catherine Waters 6-1, 6-1; Tori Stilb defeated Jessica Sun 6-3, 6-1; Caeles Crunkleton-Wilson defeated Katie Zhang 6-0, 6-0; Marti Sollenberger defeated Gabrielle Illanas 6-0, 6-0; Maggie Lopez won by default over Casey Harmon.

Doubles: Stilb/Beard defeated Regan/Zhang 6-3; Lauren Amos/Alexis Baker defeated Waters/Sun 6-2; Wilson/Sarah Rogan defeated Illanas/Lopez 8-2.

NOTES

Salpointe also won championships under John Condes (1994 and 1996) and Jim Refkin (1993). The Lancers finished in second pace six times over the years.

Rincon/UHS won it all in1994 under Roland Kotwica. The team has finished in second place four times with their last finals appearance in 2005.

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