Newton County Academy tennis coach Pete Mazzella thought his girls’ team might have a chance at a state championship this season if he and assistant David Burt could get the lineup right.
Apparently, they figured it out as the NCA girls won another state championship, edging out St. Augustine to claim the Class 3A girls’ title.
NCA won both girls doubles positions and got enough points elsewhere to win 5.5 to 5. The win was the fifth overall team title for NCA and the two individual championships gives NCA 21 event titles overall.
At No. 1 doubles, Alexander and Hollingsworth easily won their semifinal match, beating Tallulah 6-3, 6-3 to advance to the finals.
In the finals, Alexander and Hollingsworth cruised past Franklin Academy, winning 6-2, 6-3 in the finals.
At No. 2 girls’ doubles, Bella Miley and Landry Parks also brought home the gold. I the semifinals, they beat Tallulah 6-2, 6-3 to advance to the finals against Manchester. In the finals, Miley and Parks won 7-4, 6-2 after falling behind early in the first set.
In girls No. 2 singles, Madilyn Smith won her first-round match, beating Providence 6-2, 6-2 in the semifinals to earn a point for NCA. She lost 6-2, 6-0 in the finals. In mixed doubles, Ayden McDill and Christopher Chertkow beat Providence 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals but lost 6-2, 6-0 to St. Augustine in the finals.
On the boys side, NCA had one team reach the finals. At No. 2 doubles, Trace Evans and Jackson Bunyard beat Providence 6-4, 6-2 in the semifinals but lost 7-6(9), 6-0 win the finals to St. Augustine. At No. 1 boys doubles, Reed Terrell and Taylor Burt lost 7-5, 6-4 in their semifinal match. In boys No. 2 singles, Eli Herrington lost 6-4, 6-0 to St. Augustine in the semifinals.
