Call it a dynasty.

Or, as the T-shirts worn by several Omaha Marian supporters at Monday's state tennis finals proclaimed, a “Dye-nasty.”

The fans, paying homage to coach Beth Dye, watched as the Crusaders won their third consecutive state title and fourth in five years. Each of Marian's entries advanced to the finals of their respective brackets, giving the school the title before any finals matches were even played. The Crusaders finished with 54 points.

Lincoln Southwest finished second with 36.5 points, and Omaha Westside came in third with 34.5.

“Three in a row will do it,” Marian's Brooke Urzendowski said. “We're building on (our success).”

The junior was speaking of the Crusaders' team title, but the statement also applies to her own personal achievements. Urzendowski endured two tiebreakers against Millard West's Alex Schelble to clinch her third straight No. 1 singles crown. Both players battled a strong wind that forced each to adjust their play.

“It feels just as good, if not better, than the others,” Urzendowski said. “(Alex) was really smart. She used the wind and conditions to her favor.”

Marian also won the No. 2 doubles, where Caroline Nelsen and Hylan Miller cruised easily to the finals. Kaylyn Neverve and Tealyn Trimble of Kearney managed to win a set against the Crusaders' duo but were eventually bested 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

But Westside assured that Marian would not sweep the event. The No. 1 doubles combo of Breanna and Lauren Keller rebounded from a loss to Marian's Kara Schuele and Katherine Nelsen in the Metro final to beat the same team Monday 6-1, 6-4. The twins, after winning No. 2 doubles their freshman year, had finished in second the past two years before going out on top as seniors.

“I think it definitely made them hungrier. It's a goal that they've had, and it's motivated them,” Westside coach Kim Gradoville said. “They're always working hard, even when they're not in season.”

Rounding out the champions was Emma Schelble in No. 2 singles. In a rematch of the Metro final, the Millard West freshman again topped Marian's Jessica Koraleski. Schelble lost the first set but bounced back to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Despite everyone's effort to dethrone the champs, it was Marian that again took home the state title. Urzendowski said much of the credit goes to Dye, who was present less than two weeks after giving birth.

“She's everything. She calms everyone down and keeps us together,” Urzendowski said. “We wouldn't be where we are without her.”

Dye deflected the praise back to her players. She was especially happy that all four of her entries made it to the finals.

“That's a goal that we set at the beginning of each year, and the kids just worked really hard to get to this point,” Dye said. “I'm really proud of all of them.”

Contact the writer:

444-1201, sports@owh.com

• Team scoring: Omaha Marian 54, Lincoln Southwest 36.5, Omaha Westside 34.5, Millard West 30, Millard North 28, Elkhorn 26, Kearney 20, Omaha Central 16, Omaha Burke 16, Lincoln Southeast 14, Lincoln East 14, Papillion-La Vista 12, Papillion-La Vista South 12, Millard South 10, Columbus 8, Fremont 8, Bellevue West 8, North Platte 6, Lincoln Northeast 6, Bellevue East 4, Norfolk 4, Grand Island 2, Omaha Bryan 2, Lincoln North Star 2, Lincoln High 2, Omaha South 0, Omaha North 0, Omaha Northwest 0, Omaha Benson 0.

Finals results:

No. 1 Singles: Brooke Urzendowski, Omaha Marian, def. Alex Schelble, Millard West, 7-6(9-7), 7-6(6-1).
No. 2 Singles: Emma Schelble, Millard West, def. Jessica Koraleski, Omaha Marian, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
No. 1 Doubles: Breanna and Lauren Keller, Omaha Westside, def. Kara Schuele/Katherine Nelsen, Omaha Marian, 6-1, 6-4.
No. 2 Doubles: Caroline Nelsen/Hylan Miller, Omaha Marian, def. Kaylyn Neverve/Tealyn Trimble, Kearney, 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.

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