Prep tennis: Aspen serves up first win of season

The Aspen High School boys tennis team served up a victory in the opening match of the season — a sweep.

The Skiers, in their season debut, topped visited Fruita Monument 7-0 on Friday afternoon at the Aspen Golf and Tennis Club, taking all three singles and all four doubles matches..

The Skiers started their victory march with straight-set wins at No. 1 singles and No. 3 singles.

Sophomore Dillon Leasure of the Skiers defeated Jackson Cesark of Fruita Monument 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles.

And at No. 3, Alex Ilic, an Aspen freshman, topped Branden Lovato 6-1, 6-1.

“Consistency … that’s what I went for,” said Leasure, who attends Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale and plays tennis for the Aspen Skiers. Roaring Fork doesn’t field a tennis team, so Leasure commutes to play with the Skiers.

“I like playing high school tennis; there’s a lot of great guys on the team,” said Leasure, who proudly wore his Roaring Fork High School cap with his bright red Aspen tennis shirt.

The 16-year-old sophomore said he’s looking forward to the competition at No. 1 singles this year.

“There’s about three really good players (at No. 1 singles) in our region, and only two get to go to state,” Leasure said. “That will be the challenge.”

Leasure, who grew up in Carbondale, is the son of Brian and Janis Leasure.

“This is my first high school match,” said Ilic, who won in straight sets at No. 3 singles. “It was really fun.”

The AHS freshman said he tried to ignore the swirling winds that hit Friday’s matches.

“I try to block that,” Ilic said. “Hit it deep … that’s all I was trying to do.”

Ilic, the son of Robert and Ksenija Ilic, said he also tried to use his lefty serve to his advantage.

At No. 2 singles, Aspen’s Henry Godfrey defeated Peyton Harmon of the Wildcats 6-2, 6-2.

The Skiers also swept the doubles as coach Gary Quandt’s team hit the courts even before Monday’s first day of school.

No. 1 doubles — Keegan Mehell and Gabe Suarez of Aspen def. Elton Reimer and Daniel Lastine of Fruita Monument 6-2, 6-1.

No. 2 doubles — David Mondry and Andy Vernier of Aspen def. Brandon Keller and Jonathan Blair of Fruita Monument 7-5, 6-1.

No. 3 doubles — Gage Carr and Victor Dunn of Aspen def. Clark Ligon and Ty Clifford 6-4, 6-3.

No. 4 doubles — Chris Gregory and Dylan DeGroff of Aspen def. Jonny Bishop and Garrett Morse of Fruita Monument 7-5, 6-4.

dstrode@aspentimes.com