So much for the drama expected today between Cherry Creek and Regis Jesuit in the team race for the Class 5A boys state tennis title.

The Bruins advanced all six of their players/teams into today's state championship matches that begin at 9 a.m. at the Gates Tennis Center.

As a result, Cherry Creek had 57 points after the semifinals, clinching its 35th title in the past 38 years. Many of the Bruins faithful, though, had left before they learned they had clinched. Regis Jesuit has 39 points, but was unable to make up needed ground in playback matches.

"It looks like they will read it in the papers this morning," Cherry Creek coach Kirk Price said of the Bruins winning another title. "This is absolutely unexpected at this time to have won it, as I expected it to come right down to the final day.

"My kids did such a great job, with everyone getting into the finals. I fully expected Regis to be in the same position, but it was a tough day for them. Our kids are looking to win all six positions, and they are ready."

Regis Jesuit also sent six positions into the semifinals Friday, but only three managed to advance. Still, they had good points to be won in the playback rounds.

"Our kids have come a long way, and we kind of snuck in under the radar," Regis Jesuit coach Lou Kosich said. "I don't think anyone expected us to be where we are. We consider ourselves head-to-head with them now, and however it comes out, our guys can be proud of where they are."

Loveland's Alex Clinkenbeard was the biggest individual surprise Friday. No one expected the Indians' No. 1 singles player to reach the finals, but that's right where he will be today when he faces Rocky Mountain's unbeaten Casey MacMaster.

Clinkenbeard ousted previously unbeaten Mads Hegelund of George Washington, 7-5, 7-6 (7-2) to earn the right to play against MacMaster for the fourth time this season.

"The first set I started out slow, but felt that I picked it up in the second set, got a few breaks and felt I played phenomenal the rest of the way," Clinkenbeard said. "I saw (Hegelund) play (Thursday) and the papers had showcased him as pretty good. I knew it was going to be a challenge, and I was able to rise to the occasion."

Now the question? Can Clinkenbeard raise his game against MacMaster, whom he has lost to three times this season?

"I've never got him, but this would be the perfect time," Clinkenbeard said. "The pressure is on Casey because he's beaten me the three times. There is no pressure on me, I just have to play loose."

MacMaster (25-0) was on cruise control Friday as he zipped past Zach Pendleton of Heritage, 6-0, 6-2 in the semifinals.

George Washington's Simon Hegelund beat Chaparral's Yohei Uema, 6-4, 6-1, in the battle of international standouts at No. 2 singles. Hegelund will face Cherry Creek's Taylor Sargent in the final.

"It was a hard match," Hegelund (15-1) said. "It's very exciting to come over from Denmark and to be playing for a state championship. This is the biggest tournament that I have ever participated in, and I'm very excited and I'm looking forward to (today)."

Said Sargent (21-1), "I lost to Simon (6-4, 6-1) earlier this season. I'm looking forward to a very good match against him. He's a fine, fine opponent."

Cherry Creek's Connor Macey will play Mark Miller of Regis Jesuit in another regular-season rematch, and he hopes for a second win at No. 3 singles. Macey beat GW's Calvin Ward, while Miller knocked off Scott Holmes of Chatfield.

"I'm looking forward to playing Connor again," Miller said. "He beat me 6-0, 7-6, and I'm looking forward to our match. It would be great to say I beat a Creek player in the state finals."