BEARVILLE — Pierce County will try to become the fourth public school in 31 years to sweep tennis state championship titles after knocking off Morgan County’s fourthseed tennis programs here Tuesday in the Class 2A semifinals.
PCHS is looking to become just the 12th public school (33 private schools) to sweep titles. Pierce County can join Bleckley County (2017), Telfair County and Brantley County (2025) as the only public schools to accomplish the feat since the GHSA (Georgia High School Association) went to the team format in 1995.
The top-seed Lady Bears (231), winners of five straight matches with four coming in the state tournament, earned their first-ever bid to the championship match, overpowering the fourth-seed Lady Bulldogs (12-10) 3-0.
Pierce County will face 6thseed regionmate Appling County (17-2), winners of nine straight matches, today (Wednesday, May 13) in the championship match at the Rome Tennis Center at Berry College at 9 a.m. The Lady Bears won the March 17 regular season Region 3-AA match 3-2 in Baxley.
The Lady Pirates have knocked off 27th-seed Shaw, 11th-seed Sumter County, third-seed Columbus and 15thseed Stephens County.
PCHS (1-4 in the semis) was making its fifth all-time appearance (2012 vs. Westminster, 2013 - Woodward Academy, 2023 - Berrien, 2025 - Columbus) in the “Final Four”.
The top-seed and defending state champion Bears (22-2) stretched their winning streak to 14 consecutive matches with a hard-fought 3-2 win over the Bulldogs (17-4). It marked the fifth 3-2 victory for PCHS against two losses this season.
The top-seed Lady Bears pose for a picture after beating fourth-seed Morgan County 3-0 to advance to their first-ever championship tennis match. SPECIAL PHOTO
The top-seed defending 2A champion Bears are all smiles after beating fourth-seed Morgan County 3-2 to advance to championship tennis match. SPECIAL PHOTO
Pierce County was making its second consecutive appearance in the semis and third overall (2014 - Woodward Academy, 2025 Sonoraville). PCHS, 2-1 in the “Final Four”, has won in nine consecutive rounds during the state tournament over the past two seasons.
The Bears will meet 3rd-seed Columbus (195), winners of six straight matches, in a finals rematch of the 2025 championship, played in Bearville. PCHS escaped with a 3-2 victory to claim its first-ever state title in tennis.
The Blue Devils advanced to the finals, beating 30th-seed South Atlanta, 14th-seed Rockmart, sixth-seed Murray County and seventh-seed Appling County.
No. 1 Lady Bears................................3 No. 4 Morgan County ........................0
Pierce County, which has not dropped a set in the state tournament, lost just three games in its three victories and seven total with two matches pulled.
Marlee Kate Wetherington posted a 6-1, 61 decision at No. 1 singles over Lyssa Schafer. Mattie Lee’s No. 2 match against Makenna Cannington was pulled with Lee up 6-0, 4-1. Jasmine Sergent led 6-3, 5-0 at No. 3 over Lilianne Piche when play was stopped.
Neither doubles duo had any trouble. The No. 1 team of Eva Horne and Abby Higginson blanked Lindsey Yang and Julia Maddox 6-0, 6-0. The No. 2 tandem of Addie Brown and Riley Chambless rolled 6-1, 6-0 over Georgia Yinger and Nolie Simmons.
No. 1 Bears ........................................3 No. 4 Morgan County ........................2
J.C. Nimmer’s third-set tie-breaking win at No. 1 singles supplied the winning point for the Bears against Morgan County.
Nimmer outlasted Massimo Polano 6-3, 36, 7-6 (7-3). Jeb Bradley dropped his three-set marathon at No. 2 with Aiden West falling 64, 0-6, 6-4. Aaden Carlson held off Leyton Hull at No. 3 winning 6-2, 6-4.
The No. 1 doubles duo of Kellen Roberts and Colby Coates outlasted Charlie Arnold and Landon Behrndt 6-4, 6-3. The No. 2 team of Greyson Rodgers and Thomas Lucas fell 6-4, 6-4 to Lachlen Behrndt and Peyton Houser.
