Miners tennis plays final match at the MARC

Boys Park City Miners Tennis played Highland at home on Tuesday. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — The Park City High School boys tennis team played its last home match of the season Tuesday, marking Senior Day for the squad. It was also the team’s final match ever at the Municipal Athletic Recreation Center.

The Miners lost 3-2 to Highland High.

The partnership between PCHS and the MARC — known as the Racquet Club in earlier years — has served as the team’s home court for decades. When the next school year begins, the Miners will practice and host visiting teams at a new multi-sport venue under construction on Kearns Boulevard, which will include tennis courts.

“It’s going to be fun for everyone,” Park City head coach Cole Lee told TownLift. “We’re forever thankful to the MARC, and we’re going to miss working with the friends we’ve made here. That said, we’re very much looking forward to the move, which, for this program, has the potential to be transformative.”

The Tennis Bubble at the MARC during Tuesday’s match. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

The Miners are 5-5 overall and 5-1 in region play, good for second place.

Tuesday’s match was split between the MARC’s tennis bubble and the adjacent outdoor courts. The indoor courts weren’t used, as warm weather made outdoor play possible.

In singles, Park City sophomore Thomas Rogowski defeated Highland senior Thomas Gardner 6-2, 6-4. Junior Charlie Ginster followed with a 6-2, 6-2 win over senior Andrew Lowe.

Rogowski, a five-year Park City resident and former competitive big mountain skier, won all three of his matches at a recent tournament in Salt Lake City.

“It’s been a great match today. The whole team is giving it their all,” Rogowski said. “Just like when we went to a tournament down in Salt Lake and played against some good teams there, too.”

One of Tuesday’s matches is shown above. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

“Today’s is a really gritty match, hard fought with Highland,” Lee said. “We’re enjoying our season, and I’m proud of all the individual contributions these guys bring.”

Parents marked Senior Day with announcements, awards, and applause. Schneider is the lone senior on this year’s varsity squad.

This year’s Tennis Team seniors:

• Max Schneider 
• David Mateo
• Henry Hayes
• Joey Bevilacqua
• Ryder Evulich
• Brocton Umstead
• Andrew Santarosa

Miners match inside the Bubble on Tuesday. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke

“It’s a young, hungry roster, and the guys are making great progress every year,” Lee said. “Our varsity is mostly comprised of sophomores and juniors and a couple of freshmen this season.”

Lee added that many of the seniors intend to play tennis as a lifelong sport — the real goal of high school play, in his view. Some have chosen colleges on the West Coast, where warmer weather allows for year-round club play.

With Region and State tournaments held outdoors, the team has moved its final home matches outside to prepare.

All teams qualify for Region, with seeding determined by regular-season play. The Utah High School Athletics Association recently realigned regions, placing the Miners alongside Highland, East, Judge Memorial, and Juan Diego — all new to the region. Realignment happens every few years, largely to minimize travel. Lee said it freshens things up and maintains competitive balance, even if it means losing touch with longtime coaching counterparts.

State follows 10 days after Region. Every team qualifies. Based on standings, teams either earn a bye into Friday’s competition or play a Thursday play-in match.

“Hopefully, the goal is to get as many of our guys byes as possible,” Lee said. “But again, it’s another individual bracket. So first, second, third singles brackets, first and second doubles brackets, and then the points are counted toward your team score.”

The State tournament is May 7-9 at Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.

Before that, the Miners travel to Skyline, then to Juan Diego Catholic, and then to the 4A Region 10 Tournament.

Tuesday’s match at the MARC. Photo: TownLift // Michele Roepke