Warrior Nation.

I seriously can't explain to you how happy I am. 

Why?

Here's why:

SCHS beat Dixie, who previously beat us, which pushed Dixie out of first and ushered Snow Canyon in the lead. This victory helped us take the Region title. Region champs, again. Madison and I at first doubs, went UNDEFEATED. Then, the region tournament (sept. 30) snow canyon showed great strength again:

MaryAnne- 3^rd seed for state, Kennedy- 2^nd seed, Bergen- 2^nd seed, 

Madi and I- 1^st seed, McKelle and Emily- 1^st seed. 

Hafen & Harrison

Go warriors. Getting that first seed for Madison and I was not easy: we won 6-4, 7-5.

Then STATE. State was the weekend of Homecoming (oct. 8^th) and us warriors were excited. But so so nervous. There was a rain delay which got in our heads. We were FURIOUS. But, Jeremy told us to embrace it. We had practice that Thursday and it was the best practice ever. 

We left for State on Friday. We watched Forever Strong that night. Boy, were we ready.

First day: Everyone won first round except MaryAnne, who had the hardest match. She played so awesome, her and the girl she played HUGGED after their match- that’s how good it was.

1st round match vs. Juan Diego

....So this leaves 4/5 of SC’s players still in. 

Then all 4 of us won our 2^nd round matches, which put Kennedy, Bergen, Me and Madi, and McKelle and Emily all in the SEMIFINALS. Semifinals?! Holy fetch. Because of the rain delay, we stayed up over the weekend and played the semi’s on Monday. 

2nd round match vs. Grantsville

Mine and Madison’s semi final match was CRAZY. We lost the first set 3-6, and were getting a little nervous. We both just said to each other that we weren’t leaving this match until we won, so let’s step it up. We watched Rocky 4 the night before, and Rocky went 10 rounds with Ivan. He didn't win right off. He had to FIGHT. 

We knew that if we wanted this, we had to fight.

We then came barreling into the 2nd set with so much fire, and soon enough we had a 5-1 lead. We lost 2 games in a row but then closed the set at 6-3. 

Split sets. 

We took the required 10 minute break and just kept ourselves pumped up. The other team was kind of crying and they looked all depressed so we made sure we took the complete opposite approach. We were ready.

...We then won the next set 6-3. 

The crowd cheered so loud and Madison grabbed me and hugged me so hard. 

WE MADE IT TO THE FINALS. 

Baggs and Jeremy came running onto the court and just hugged us hard and held us so tight. We did it. 

Baggs looked at me and said "I'm so proud of you. I'm so proud."

We checked into the desk and reported our scores to the director. she looked at her watch and said “Congratulations girls. You made it to the finals. Your match will start at 1:45. Good luck.” 

We had 30 minutes.

waiting for the finals to start

Kennedy and Bergen also made it to the finals and were both about to face Judge Memorial. 

Before the finals matches started, Jeremy, Baggs, and Booth all talked to us. Telling us how proud they were of us. We huddled together and just talked. Talked our nerves out, talked about how far we've come. 

Just talked.

All of the finals matches seemed like a blink long.We all lost our finals matches. Madison and I played well, but lost 6-3, 6-2. It was a good match, and actually a lot of fun. We went "balls out" as Jeremy would say. I'll be honest, it was all kind of a blur though. The other team, Ogden, deserved the title, but we made them work for it. We really did.

We heard Ogden getting interviewed after our match and the reporter asked "so, you came through this whole tournament pretty easily, making it to the finals. was your finals match an easy breeze for the two of you?" they responded, "no, we really did play our best out there and we had to in order to beat those girls."

That's right. 

After all the matches were said and done, everyone gathered around the director's table. She called up each position for 2nd and 1st place and awarded us our medals. When she got to first doubles she said: 

"and our 2nd place state champions for first doubles, we have Hafen and Harrison!" 

Everyone cheered and we got pictures holding our medals. At the end of the specific position medal awards, she hushed the crowd.

"Now, your 3A 2nd place State Champions, we have 

Snow Canyon High School!" 

The place went crazy. Everyone cheered for us. We ran up to the trophy (I grabbed it and kissed it first of course) and we were all so happy. One of the happiest moments of my life so far.

Warrior Tennis, I love you.