By Don Ketchum

Lauren Amos threw her hands into the air in celebration. At long last, her tennis marathon was over.

The No. 2 singles player for Tucson Salpointe Catholic had lost the first set, but came back to win the last two sets and defeated Phoenix Xavier Prep’s Kendra Mahoney 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 to clinch the Lancers’ third straight Class 5A Division I team title and fifth in the last six years on Thursday at the Paseo Racquet Center in Glendale.

Amos joined her cousin, Courtney Amos, the team’s No. 1 player, as one of five singles winners on Thursday. The 5-0 domination of Xavier was such that Salpointe didn’t have to play any doubles matches to secure the crown.

Much to the dismay of opponents, the Amos cousins are both juniors and will return next season. Courtney Amos has a sister who will be a freshman, Caroline.

“And she is very good,’’ Lauren said.

Salpointe will figure to challenge Xavier again and any other team that rises.

“We want to win again. They are all special in their own way,’’ Lauren said.

Salpointe had defeated Xavier 5-4 in a match two weeks ago at Xavier.

Lancers coach Perri Touche acknowledged that it helped her team’s confidence, “but it also can put a little bit of pressure, too.’’

Xavier actually was No. 1 in power points, prompting some to wonder how that could happen.

“But it doesn’t really matter because to win the championship, you are going to have to beat most of the teams, anyway,’’ Touche said.

Salpointe’s singles winners were the Amos cousins, No. 3 Claire Baxter, No. 4 Maeve McGeorge and No. 5 Nicole Whinery.