Boulder’s Kap Smith. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER – It was inevitable.
One of the Smiths who reached last year’s Class 5A state tennis semifinals was destined to be in this year’s championship match.
Kap Smith of Boulder and Kai Smith of Denver East, who both lost their semifinal matches at No. 1 singles in last year’s state tournament, squared off in this year’s semis Friday morning at the Gates Tennis Center.
Give the nod to the sophomore from Boulder as Kap earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory and a spot in Saturday’s championship match.
Kap Smith will face Ryan James of Cherry Creek at 9 a.m. Saturday. James won his semifinal over Ben Antonsen of Mountain Vista 6-0, 6-3. As with Smith, James has yet to give up a set in three tournament matches.
In both sets, Kap Smith had to break serve just once to earn the edge over Kai, a junior.
Though they played each other just once during the high school season, Kap and Kai are very familiar with each other’s game, having played in USTA tournaments. Kap won over Kai in last year’s third-place state match.
That could work as an advantage, knowing the other’s game, but Kap said it brings out another positive.
“It’s good because I have to do something to change it up,” he said of forcing himself to try something new.
Smith looks at Saturday’s championship as just another match, albeit against another strong opponent. He’s not fazed, however, by the challenge of playing against Cherry Creek.
“Maybe I’ll just create a Boulder legacy,” he said of starting a new tradition as a Panther sophomore.
He is one of three Panthers who could begin that trend as all three Boulder singles players will play for a state title – Jackson Hawk playing No. 2 and Cutter Esson at No. 3.
Cherry Creek, which had entries in all three singles and all four doubles semifinals, advance five of its seven entries to sew up its fifth consecutive team title. The Bruins finished the day with 69 points; Boulder was second with 41.
The Bruins will face off against Regis Jesuit in three of the four doubles finals; the teams will play for the third-place crown at No. 4 doubles.