CANEY BAY — Brantley County’s top-seeded Herons’ tennis program will defend its title after blanking Banks County 30 here Thursday in the Class A DI semifinals.
The two-time defending champion Lady Herons’ (13-12) bid for a third consecutive title fell short falling 3-1 in the “Elite 8” to sixth-seed Model (17-5) in Rome. The Lady Blue Devils, who knocked off 2nd-seed ACE Charter 3-2 in the semifinals, meet top-seed Jeff Davis (24-3) in the championship match.
The “Final Four” victory by the Herons (23-2), winners of seven straight matches and nine consecutive state tournament matches over the last two years, sets up a date with sixth-seed Rabun County (19-2) today (Wednesday, May 13) at 12:30 p.m., at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College.
Brantley County ousted the Wildcats in last year’s quarterfinals posting a 30 victory.
Rabun County, who lost twice to Private School “Final Four” participant Athens Academy, advanced through the bracket at home beating 27th-seed Dodge County in the first round, 11thseed Vidalia in the “Sweet 16”, 14th-seed Swainsboro in the “Elite 8” and 7thseed Model (3-1) in the semifinals.
The Herons improved to 11-4 with a fifth consecutive quarterfinal victory downing 8th-seed Bleckley County 3-0 Monday, May 4. They followed with Thursday’s (May 7) semifinal win over 13th-seed Banks County improving to 3-8 in the semis winning in each of their last three appearances.
‘Elite 8’ No. 1 Herons............3 No. 8 Bleckley Co.....0
Brantley County posted straight-set victories in its three wins and was one game away in the other two matches against Bleckley County.
Ashton Tyler posted a 6-2, 6-2 victory at No. 1 singles over Jack Tripp. Jayce Chapman had no trouble at No. 3 blanking Jay Faulk 6-0, 6-0. Owen Spradley had a 6-2, 5-0 advantage at No. 2 over Abbott Keel.
The No. 1 doubles team of Jett and Miles Florey knocked off Bo Yeatly and John Teston 6-3, 6-0. The No. 2 tandem of Evan Payne and Alex Keen led Brady Cape and Colton Zachran 6-3, 5-1 when the match was pulled.
‘Final 4’ semifinals No. 1 Herons............3 No. 13 Banks Co.......0
The Herons rolled to two wins in the singles competition and one in doubles, dropping just five games to oust Banks County.
Spradley strolled to a 61, 6-1 decision at No. 2 over Carter Oliver. Chapman had not trouble at No. 3 beating Canyon Boswell 6-0, 6-1. Tyler dropped the first set to Sam Ledford at No. 1 to trail 76 (7-4).
The Floreys controlled their No. 1 doubles match against Issac Perdue and Thomas Nguyen winning 6-1, 6-1. Payne and Keen were up a set and leading in the second 7-5, 2-1 against Eli Castonguay and Cohen Vitug when the match was stopped.
‘Elite 8’ No. 6 Model....................................................3 No. 14 Lady Herons ........................................1
ROME — Haley Smith provided the Lady Herons their lone victory against Model.
Smith downed Baelen Robinson 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1 singles. Adalyn Lattanzie fell 6-1, 6-4 at No. 2 to Olivia Peck. Mary Drury suffered a 6-1, 6-1 setback to Ava Welchel at No. 3.
The No. 2 doubles tandem of Bri Crews and Brenna Gilder let a one-set advantage slip away in falling 1-6, 64, 6-3 to Greta Garrett and Anabella Rozier. The No. 1 duo of Emersyn Payne and Kynli Flowers were tied in the third set at 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 4-4 when the match was ended.
