The Statesboro High School tennis teams hit the road early Monday morning, departing at 5:00 a.m. for Athens to compete in the Sweet 16 round of the GHSA Class 6A State Playoffs—and both teams came home victorious.
The Blue Devils boys team was up first, facing off against Clarke Central High School. Senior Xavier Deckard set the tone with a dominant 6-0, 6-1 win at first singles to give Statesboro an early lead. The first doubles team of Sean Kim and Carter Copeland followed with a strong 6-1, 6-3 win, extending the lead to 2-0.
Tyler Blythe secured the clinching point at third singles, winning a competitive first set 6-3 before cruising to a 6-0 second set victory. Davis Hall was one game away from victory at second singles, and the doubles team of Asher Hodgin and Luke Watanabe had won their first set when the match was called. With the win, the Blue Devils boys have now reached the Elite 8 for the third consecutive year.
After the boys' victory, the teams traveled another 40 minutes for the girls’ matchup against Jackson County High School. The Lady Devils dropped an early match at singles, falling behind 1-0, but quickly bounced back with dominant performances in doubles play. Annalia Small and Lindsay Collins blanked their opponents 6-0, 6-0 at first doubles, while Lorelei Prosser and Nellie Watanabe followed with a 6-0, 6-1 win at second doubles, giving Statesboro a 2-1 lead.
Naomi Feltman sealed the team victory with a 6-1, 6-3 win at second singles, battling through a tight second set to clinch the match. Her sister, Maxine Feltman, was up a set and a break at third singles when play was halted. The Lady Devils have now earned back-to-back appearances in the Elite 8.
Next up, the Statesboro boys will face a major test on Thursday against seven-time defending state champions Johns Creek. The Lady Devils will take on Milton High School, the No. 3-ranked team in the nation. Both matches will take place in Atlanta.