A first-generation tennis player, Heap, a junior, is unbeaten (15-0) in first singles this fall following a two-set sweep of Farmington senior Macie Peterson on Thursday.

Eyeing another trip to the state championships, Heap’s taken a step forward in multiple ways.

This fall brings an increased focus on speed, agility and weightlifting, Heap said. She’s also enlisted the help of former pro David Radford, the head tennis professional at the Ogden Athletic Club in South Ogden. Turning the corner from her sophomore campaign, Heap approaches every match expecting to win because of the long hours, she said.

“I should be winning all my matches, so I need to make sure that I win all my matches,” Heap said. “Going into state, I’ll have to figure out how to lock in and keep learning, because I know there’s going to be very talented players there.”

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

Giving up gymnastics for tennis in high school, Heap made her first career trip to state as a sophomore, powering through to the semifinals where American Fork’s Sophie Leavitt bounced the Weber star from the 6A table last fall in Salt Lake City.

Thundering to 15 consecutive wins to begin this season, Heap is “stepping into” every note, critique, or video that may raise her game. That’s been the advice of Weber High coach Kaitlan Toole, a witness to Heap’s rapid growth and dedicated training over the last year.

Heap maintains a 4.0 GPA at Weber High and is heavily invested in pursuing math and science after high school, Toole said.

“I’ve encouraged her to watch a lot of high-level tennis,” Toole said. “She’s hoping to play at the next level collegiately. She’s spoken to some coaches, so I tell her to watch collegiate tennis and see where they’re at. … Everything that encompasses a student-athlete, she wants to be about.”

Toole continued:

“It’s about being open-minded and not just listening to one coach but being receptive to every coach that’s giving her advice,” Toole said.

“Stepping into the court,” is the main driver in Heap’s game this fall. She’s made a consistent effort to bring more power, accuracy and emotion into each return.

“They always say, ‘step into the court,’ and I’ve really decided that’s how I’m going to play,” Heap said. “It’s been really helpful, especially during the season when I’m playing players that tend to hit it a little shorter. … You play better when you step in.”

On Thursday, Heap visibly reacted to seemingly every point — in or out — in an effort to bring as much energy as she could into each move.

“I’ve realized that if I cheer, I stay positive — if I hit a bad shot, I recover more quickly,” Heap said. “I try to be really intense and aggressive because that’s how I like to play and feel I can win more matches. … I play year-round, so I’m constantly playing new players, and I’ve kind of developed that way.”

Heap currently ranks fifth overall among Utah’s first singles. Fremont’s Avie Fisher (20-5) holds the top spot as another rising junior to watch in 5A.

With another contender on her hands, Toole is encouraged by Heap’s tremendous progress and looks forward to watching her college aspirations grow through 2028.

“I think wherever she ends up, she’s going to excel because of her work ethic,” Toole said. “She’s focused on her goals, and she’s worked hard for everything and sacrificed a lot so she can grow in the sport.”

Connect with Standard-Examiner sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net, X @ctbecker and Instagram @standardexaminersports.