Champions Together: Marley Deswood and Hannah Yazzie Capture State Title, Honor Coach McGrath’s Final Season This Weeks Graphic Designer Athletes of the Week
By Wally D
Farmington’s dynamic doubles duo of Marley Deswood and Hannah Yazzie are the latest recipients of the San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week honors after capturing the New Mexico 5A Girls Doubles State Championship in dramatic fashion this past week.
The two Lady Scorpions battled back after dropping the opening set to defeat Rio Rancho 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 in an unforgettable championship match, helping lead the Farmington girls tennis program to back-to-back state championships. The title also marked the ninth state championship trophy for longtime Farmington coach Pat McGrath, who is retiring after an incredible 33 years of coaching.
For Coach McGrath, this championship carried a little extra emotion.
“It’s right up there,” McGrath said. “I’m going to be honest, I didn’t think we were going to beat that team. Most of our doubles championships over the years, we walked in thinking we were going to win. This one felt different. To see them pull it out in my final season, with my family there, it’s something I’ll never forget.”
The chemistry between Deswood and Yazzie became one of the biggest strengths of the Farmington lineup all season long. McGrath credited Yazzie’s improved serve and aggressive net play, combined with Deswood’s consistency and experience, as the perfect combination.
“Hannah developed a much better serve this year, and that allowed Marley to be aggressive at the net,” McGrath explained. “Marley is just rock solid. She can hit a groundstroke from anywhere and put opponents at such a disadvantage. And Hannah, with her volleyball background, those spikes at the net worked perfectly for them.”
That chemistry was tested early in the championship match when Rio Rancho stormed out to win the first set 6-3. But instead of panicking, the Scorpion duo stayed calm and composed.
“They just kept plugging away,” McGrath said. “They didn’t get down on each other, and that happens a lot in doubles. They stayed steady. Tennis momentum can shift at any moment, and they never lost hope.”
McGrath said he first realized the duo had championship potential earlier in the season when they defeated the same Rio Rancho team during a district match in Farmington.
“After they beat them, we looked around and thought maybe this really could happen,” he said. “It was us, Santa Fe, and Rio Rancho, and we felt like we had a chance.”
The veteran coach also praised the girls for their toughness and maturity throughout the state tournament, saying their composure never wavered — even in the biggest moments.
“If you looked at them during the match, you’d think they were completely calm,” McGrath said. “They were high-fiving each other, communicating well, staying positive. They’re smart kids, experienced kids, and they handled the pressure beautifully.”
Both athletes also earned praise for their dedication away from competition. According to McGrath, the commitment shown by the entire Farmington tennis program helped prepare the team for a difficult postseason run filled with long road trips and elite competition.
“We go two hours every day without breaks, just drilling tennis balls over and over,” McGrath said. “These girls put in extra time constantly. Hannah was out practicing at night after districts with her family helping her work on reaction shots. That commitment and effort is what makes them special.”
Off the court, Deswood and Yazzie have also been leaders in the classroom and community. Both are standout students academically, while also volunteering and mentoring younger teammates within the program.
“Marley was more of the vocal leader this year as a senior,” McGrath said. “But both of them set an example every day. No matter who was on the other side of the court at practice, they were always helping teammates get better.”
And while the state title itself was unforgettable, the emotional ending to McGrath’s final season made the moment even more meaningful.
“When they won, there were tears,” McGrath said. “You spend five years with these kids. You travel with them, eat dinner with them, spend weekends together. They become part of your family. To see them succeed like that in my final season was just an incredible feeling.”
McGrath even had a little fun comparing the duo to one of the greatest sports pairings ever.
“I’d say they’re like Jordan and Pippen,” he laughed. “They needed each other. They couldn’t have done it without one another.”
Congratulations once again to Marley Deswood and Hannah Yazzie, the San Juan County Sports Athletes of the Week, and congratulations to the entire Farmington Lady Scorpions tennis program on another state championship season.
Congratulations to our San Juan County Sports Athlete of the Week, Kamora Henry
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