August 12, 2026 - 5:33 pm

Picking the top four 5A tennis programs in Southern Nevada is a simple task. Predicting the state champion is much more difficult.

Although there are some legitimate outside challengers, Bishop Gorman, Coronado, Faith Lutheran and Palo Verde are again poised to battle it out for another championship this season.

Though Palo Verde enjoyed a period of dominance, Coronado’s girls ended the Panthers’ five-year championship streak last season, and Faith Lutheran’s boys have taken control by winning the last two titles.

This season’s picture could become more clear on Aug. 21, when all four of the top boys and girls teams face off for the Vegas Cup Invitational at Bishop Gorman.

Coronado coach David Willingham said 2025 was a breakthrough year for his program, as the Cougars had not won a title since 2018.

“Last year (the players) thought they could do it,” he said. “They knew in their hearts that they had the ability. And now they are a lot more confident.”

But he is aware of the parity between the top four teams and is warning his players not to become overconfident.

“I stress to them that this is a new season,” Willingham said. “Anything can happen, and they know it. You can have some great players, but if you don’t sacrifice for the greater good, things can get kind of dicey.”

Yes, Willingham has the personnel to repeat. Among his top players this season will be Bella Gallegos and Gigi Smart (2025 state doubles champions), Erika Gallegos (2025 state singles runner-up), and team captain Elyse Rygg.

Faith Lutheran coach Keith Fridrich said it’s too early to count other teams out, and he feels his girls have the momentum to put up a battle.

“We have continually gotten closer to Palo Verde and Coronado,” he said. “And last year we were able to beat Gorman.”

Other players to watch include 2025 singles titlist Remi Rice of Palo Verde, Clark’s Ayaka Sugai, and Gorman’s Leilani Raymond, Camila Perez and Victoria Perez.

Fridrich’s team has won two straight boys championships, leaving him to coach a delicate balance between pride and overconfidence.

“(The players) know what they’ve done,” he said. “They’ve seen the banners and they know we have a standard to live up to. They have a responsibility to play to that standard, and they know every year comes with new challenges.”

Five of his nine players from last season return, including Michael Bergin, who won Las Vegas Review-Journal first team honors last year after sweeping all three of his critical contests in the Crusaders’ 10-4 state championship victory over top-seeded Palo Verde. Tyson Young and David Gluth also return from that championship team.

But Fridrich said several of his younger players will need to step up to give the team an element of depth.

“Depth is how you win high school matches,” said Fridrich, who warned that Clark, Arbor View and Shadow Ridge also look strong this season. “Some of our younger guys are going to have to step up to higher roles in the lineup.”

Among others boys to watch are Coronado’s defending state singles champion Lucas Rago, and Coronado’s Ishaan Shroff and Jack Merritt.

Nonleague play begins this week, with Coronado hosting The Meadows at 4 p.m. Thursday to open action.

Contact Jeff Wollard at jwollard@reviewjournal.com.