IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — The Hillcrest High School girls tennis program has its first 5A state championship in 17 years, ending a drought that stretched back to 2009 and capping a dramatic one-year turnaround under a new head coach.
Hillcrest finished atop the 5A girls standings with 34 points, edging out Century in second place at 28.5 points. The victory marked a significant leap for a program that finished second at the state tournament just one year earlier, when the Knights tallied 28 points without taking the top spot.
A New Coach, A Banner Year
The turnaround coincides with the arrival of Lary Duque, who took over the Hillcrest program this season after spending 15 years at Madison High School before stepping away from coaching three years ago. Duque was quick to credit his players rather than himself for the championship result. “One year at Hillcrest and win a state championship, so you know it’s not coaching,” he said.
Duque’s approach centers on fundamentals and consistency. He emphasized breaking down the mechanics of each shot and stringing together multiple successful executions in sequence — a process-oriented mindset he appears to have passed on to his athletes throughout the season.
Individual Standouts and Team Contributions
While the team championship represented a collective achievement, several Hillcrest athletes distinguished themselves individually at the state tournament. Kaia Kessler, competing at No. 2 singles, earned a third-place finish. The mixed doubles pairing of Avrie Johnson and Kyden Hanney also claimed third place.
Brinley Nelson advanced all the way to the singles championship match before falling to Sandpoint’s Pepper Rickert. The runner-up performance nonetheless represented a strong contribution to the team’s overall point total.
Not every athlete made it to state. Brinley Miller, who would have contributed to the team effort, was eliminated at the district tournament and did not compete at the state level. Hillcrest also did not qualify a girls’ doubles team, meaning the championship was built on depth across individual brackets rather than a full complement of entries.
On the boys’ side, Hillcrest also had a strong showing. The Knights finished third in the 5A boys standings with 22 points — a dramatic improvement over their tied-for-eighth result the previous year, when they scored just four points.
Championship Celebration Planned for Fall
The school plans to formally recognize the title at a later date. A banner and ring ceremony has been scheduled for Hillcrest’s first home volleyball game next fall, giving the broader school community a chance to celebrate the program’s accomplishment together.
The championship adds to what has been an active spring sports season for East Idaho athletic programs. Communities across the region have been gathering for a range of events — from scholastic competition to outdoor recreation. Pocatello’s Poky Paddle returned for its seventh year on the Portneuf River, drawing participants from across the area as warmer weather brings more residents outdoors.
For Hillcrest, the tennis title represents the kind of program-building milestone that resonates well beyond the court. Seventeen years is a long time between championships, and the 2025-26 season closed that chapter — delivered, notably, in the very first year under a coach who left the sport for three years before returning to lead a group of athletes to the top of the podium.
Whether Duque and the Knights can defend the title next season remains to be seen, but the foundation appears strong. With several individual competitors having gained state-level experience this year, Hillcrest figures to return as a legitimate contender in 5A girls tennis. East Idaho communities looking for ways to support local programs and stay connected to school events can find additional resources through volunteer opportunities at the Idaho Falls Humanitarian Center this summer.
What Comes Next
Hillcrest will formally celebrate the state championship at the school’s first home volleyball game next fall, where players will receive rings and the program’s championship banner will be unveiled. The boys tennis team, fresh off a third-place state finish, also enters the offseason with momentum. Rosters and schedules for the 2026-27 season have not yet been announced.