Grantsville High School has not switched to the 5A classification, but the Cowboys' tennis team is playing several non-region matches that resembles a 5A team's schedule.

Grantsville faces four 5A teams this year and all have excellent reputations in the sport. The two 4A teams they will face are two of the best in that classification. Two other non-region matches pit the Cowboys against 3A power Judge Memorial and as good as it gets in 2A with Rowland Hall-St. Marks.

The good news for Grantsville is that they dropped their first two matches to 5A schools by only one match losing 2-3 to Hillcrest and 2-3 to Bingham. "Bingham finished second in 5A last year and Hillcrest was fifth," said coach Pat Ciervo. Grantsville will host 5A Lehi on April 4 and play its fourth 5A team at Spanish Fork on April 9.

Ciervo believes the strong non-region schedule will only help his players become stronger and more successful against 3A foes in Region 7 which includes the super talented defending state champion Logan Grizzlies and traditional powers Ogden and Bear River.

"Right now our team is playing as well as I could expect them to at this point in the season," Ciervo said. "I'm pleased with their progress."

Grantsville has played especially well at the top two singles positions. No.1 singles player Logan Paulich and No. 2 Jared Nordgran are unbeaten after three matches. The third singles spot is a bit unsettled right now, but whoever competes in that slot should end up a top player as he hones his skills against strong competition from other schools and other Grantsville players.

Ciervo indicated the Cowboys need to improve in doubles and the team was working on that task during practice on Wednesday.

Grantsville lost both doubles matches against Hillcrest and Bingham and lost one of its doubles matches against Wasatch on Tuesday. As a team the Cowboys breezed past the Wasps 4-1.

Paulich, who lost only three games while winning 24 in his first two matches against 5A opponents, dropped three games in his match against Wasatch in the first set. He picked up his play in the second set and cruised to his third straight victory of the season with 6-3, 6-0 triumph.

Nordgran had little difficult in staying unbeaten at No. 2 singles with a 6-0, 6-0 win.

George Parkinson played in the No. 3 slot Tuesday and had no problem winning 6-1, 6-0.

The doubles matches against the Wasps were competitive three-set battles.

Grantsville's No.1 doubles team of Brett Peterson and Casey Williams dropped their match 5-7, 6-3, 5-7.

The Cowboys' No. 2 team of Caleb Rupp and Trevor Lujan, however, prevailed in their marathon match 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-3.

Grantsville dominated junior varsity competition with Daniel Garrard winning at first singles, Jared Knight at second singles and Kyler Rupp at third singles. Ben Tripp and Dallin Gomez won the first doubles match while Dallin Leonelli and Austin Rowley prevailed at second doubles.

Now, Grantsville drops down to play some 4A teams, but the competition could be just as strong or better. The Cowboys play at Bountiful today at 3:30 p.m. and host Box Elder on Wednesday, April 2 at 3 p.m.

mwatson@tooeletranscript.com