The Sedona Red Rock High School boys tennis team is still learning on the job after two early-season home losses to Estrella Foothills High School and Northland Preparatory Academy.

Junior Benny Guadarrama has led the win column for the Scorpions so far, defeating Estrella Foothills sophomore Hunter Colleran in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0 on Tuesday, March 11.

The No. 2 doubles team of Guadarrama and sophomore Peter Hoyle also claimed victory that day over sophomore Jordan Gibson and freshman Erik Takada, 8-6.

Unfortunately for the Scorpions and head boys tennis coach Duane Edwards, these are the only wins the Scorpions have been able to take away from two matches thus far.

“We have had a rough start to the season,” Edwards said, “but I am thrilled with their effort and progress.”

Gibson defeated Hoyle — No. 4 currently on the Scorpions’ ladder with no previous tennis experience coming into the season —
6-4, 6-1 in their singles match March 11.

“Peter’s completely new to the game,” Edwards said.

The team has not had much time to build confidence from easy competition. Lone returning varsity player Max Hauserman is the Scorpions’ No. 1, and his second singles match was against defending Division III singles champion Max Schell.

The junior Hauserman proved no match for the senior Schell, falling 6-0, 6-0. His doubles match with Schell did not fare much better, with 8-1 the result of Hauserman and fellow junior Andrija Anzel’s match against Schell and junior Scott Coleman, who downed Anzel 6-3, 6-0 in their No. 2 singles match.

“We want to win, don’t get me wrong,” Edwards said. “Looking at the schedule, we’re not surrendering anything.”

For the full story, please see the Friday, March 14, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.