The Newton County Academy tennis team brought home two state champions last week.
The teams of Taylor Burt and Eli Herrington won the Class 3A No. 1 boys doubles title while the team of Piper Collins and Jamie Stamper won at No. 2 girls doubles.
Two other spots also made the finals as Landry Parks and Madilyn Smith lost at No. 1 girls doubles and Noah Agent lost at No. 2 boys singles.
“It was really a roller coaster of a day,” Mazzella said. “Our goal at the beginning of the year was the same as it has been the last 10 years or so and that is to win it all. I guess it says something about these kids and the work they put in when a team runner-up finish, two event runner-up finishes and two event state championships is a down year for us. We are going to take May off for the most part but start back working in June. Our kids are fired up more than ever to put in the work to be successful next year.”
At boys No. 1 doubles, NCA’s Taylor Burt and Eli Herrington took home a state championship. In the opening semifinal match, Burt and Herrington beat Regents School 6-0, 6-0. In the finals, Burt and Herrington had their hands full but eventually beat Addison Jones and Tristen Rogers of rival Sylva Bay 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 to claim the championship.
“Taylor and Eli have played this Sylva Bay boys doubles team four times this year, the first two losing in third set breakers,” Mazzella said. “Our straight-set victory at South State gave them the confidence they needed headed into the state tournament. They played some of their best tennis and some of their worst tennis all in one match but held on to take home the championship. This has been a three-year rivalry with the same doubles team from Sylva Bay and has been something to watch. We have nothing but respect for Tristen and Addison. They are great players and even better kids.”
In boys No. 2 doubles, NCA lost its first round match as Andrew Boothe and Garrett Estes lost 6-4, 6-3 to Regents School.
In boys No. 2 singles, Noah Agent finished as runner-up. Agent won 6-3, 6-3 in the first round against Regents School of Oxford. He then lost 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(8-6) in a third-set tiebreaker to Oskar Lucas of St. Augustine.
“Noah’s finals match was epic,” Mazzella said. “It was just back and forth for all three sets. We just couldn’t quite close it out in the third-set breaker. I am really proud of Noah’s season, I think he is going to do great things at Meridian Community College next year.”
In girls No. 1 doubles, Landry Parks and Madilyn Smith easily won their first-round match against Tunica Academy, taking a 6-2, 6-0 win. In the finals, Parks and Smith lost 6-1, 4-6, 7-5 to Addison Welborn and Anna Bragg of Laurel Christian, falling to them for the third time this season.
“Landry and Maddy played some great tennis in spots but this Laurel team has give us trouble all year,” Mazzella said. “This was the fourth time they played and every match was close. Our girls played their hearts out and came up just short 7-5 in the third.”
In girls No. 2 doubles, Piper Collins and Jamie Stamper beat Abigail Harlow and Dixie Schafer 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals. In the finals, Collins and Stamper beat Caroline Turner and Eliane Wood of Regents School in Oxford 6-1, 6-4 to claim the championship.
“Piper and Jamie were our most steady event of the tournament,” Mazzella said. “This was the most solid and disciplined I have ever seen them play. They stuck to the game plan and took care of business, especially against a tough Regents team in the finals.”
