For the past seven season, the Woods Cross girls tennis team has dominated Region 5. Head coach Molly Richards doesn’t see why this season should be any different. 

In addition, Richards and her players have an even loftier goal: winning the Class 5A state crown. 

“Our expectations and goals are to win our eighth consecutive region championship and to win the 5A team state championship,” Richards said. “These are big goals, but we absolutely have the talent to do it.”

Last season, the Wildcats followed up their latest region title with a strong effort at the 5A state tournament. Woods Cross was close to winning a championship, placing second behind Olympus. The Wildcats totaled 45 points to Olympus’ 60. 

Richards believes this group should be just as good as the 2023 squad, maybe better. 

The Wildcats have a veteran team of skilled players who play throughout the year against high-level competition. Richards said beyond what the girls can do on the court, they get along well with one another and have established excellent team unity and team spirit. These are among the Wildcats’ greatest strengths, she said. 

“They are year-round, committed players with substantial competitive experience, and they genuinely enjoy each other and are very supportive,” she said. “The team culture is very positive, and this contributes significantly to how they play.”

Headlining the Wildcats’ varsity lineup are seniors Sage Bergeson and Emmy Richards. The girls, who are coincidentally cousins, are nationally ranked and have both won two individual state titles in singles. Last season, Richards lost in the semifinals at first singles, though she won the title in second singles in 2022 as a sophomore and in 2021 as a freshman. Bergeson was the first singles champion in 2021 and 2022. Last season, she played first doubles and won the 5A crown with teammate Ruby Robbins. 

“These girls have years of competitive experience at the local, sectional and national level (having played in the Billie Jean King USTA National Hardcourt Championships in San Diego at the beginning of August),” Molly Richards said. “They will anchor our lineup, serve as our captains and are kind, enthusiastic, hardworking leaders who will set the pace for a talented varsity group.”

Another player to watch is junior Sydney Kemp, whom Molly Richards said “is another very strong varsity player who can step in at singles or doubles and will be a big part of our varsity lineup regardless of where we choose to use her.”

Woods Cross doesn’t have many glaring weaknesses, but this doesn’t mean the team is perfect. As head coach, Richards knows continually improvement is necessary, especially in a competitive environment such as Region 5 and Class 5A as a whole. She said the doubles teams need to be ready to play up to their potential. 

“We have exceptional doubles talent, but they need to stay loose and aggressive throughout the season,” she said. 

The Wildcats have a busy season filled with region matches and tournaments. They’ll see some talented teams from their league as well as other squads from around the state. The Class 5A state tournament gets underway Sept. 28 with the first round. The later rounds will be held Oct. 3 and 5 at Liberty Park. 

Richards loves coaching the Wildcats in this her eighth season. Through the high and lows of the season, she enjoys watching the girls develop and have success. 

“These girls are so fun,” she said. “They work hard, play hard and are coachable and committed. Above all, we have fun together and do our best to represent ourselves, our families and our school well. I am so proud of each one of them.”