The Newton County tennis team won the Class 4A South State championship for the sixth year in a row last week with a thrilling third-set tiebreaker win.
County took a hard-fought 4-3 win over St. Stanislaus/Our Lady Academy on Tuesday to capture that 4A South State title and a spot in the 4A championship series.
Then on Friday, Newton County fell to 6-1 to New Albany in the finals, giving the Bulldogs another state title.
“I knew we were going to be young this year and were going to struggle early in the season while we got the lineup set,” Newton County coach Chad Bond said. “I made a decision to keep the schedule strong and learn from it. I have probably enjoyed this season as much as any. I think we overachieved in many ways. But our upperclassmen provided some good leadership for our younger kids. I was really pleased with what we accomplished. New Albany was just so much more experienced than we were.”
Newton County finishes the season with a 14-9 record. The County tennis team is in Oxford this week participating in the Class 4A individual tournament.
New Albany 6, County 1
The Bulldogs were able to take another state championship as Newton County fell in the finals.
The match turned in the singles matches as both went to tiebreakers. In boys singles, Lee Hill lost to Sam Wiseman 6-2, 2-6, 10-6 while Lauren Addy lost to Isabella Aldridge 4-6, 3-6, 10-8.
“Our thinking was to put our two best players at singles and try to go get those two points and if we win those, it was 4-3,” Bond said. “If we win those two, then we would have needed one more court. I thought we lined up good but we lost those two tiebreakers and that was huge.”
In boys doubles, Cole Tadlock and Donald Blake lost 6-1, 6-0 at the No. 1 spot while Daylon Nance and Parker Chaney got County’s only point as they won 7-5, 6-2 at the No. 2 spot.
In girls doubles, Kamryn Rodriguez and Ava Espey lost 6-2, 6-1 at the No. 1 spot while Emily Stewart and Marilyn Tullos lost 6-2, 6-4 at the No. 2 spot.
Tate Baucum and Maggie Bounds lost 6-2, 6-2 in mixed doubles.
County 4, St. Stanislaus/OLA 3
In an epic battle, Newton County took a one-point win over St. Stanislaus and Our Lady Academy on Tuesday.
“It was a full team effort,” Bond said. “When it came down it, it was tied when No. 2 girls doubles went on so everybody was gathered around the court watching that one. It was like center court at Wimbledon. We had a senior, Kamryn Rodriguez and a warrior, Marilyn Tullos on the court and they just refused to lose. I’m glad that Kamryn got to enjoy that moment as a senior.”
Newton County split the two singles matches as Lee Hill beat Sebastian Walker 6-1, 6-4 in boys singles. Ave Espey lost 6-2, 6-0 in boys singles.
In boys doubles, Parker Chaney and Tate Baucum won 6-1, 6-2 at the No. 1 spot while Daylon Nance and Cole Tadlock lost 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 2 spot.
Donald Blake and Maggie Bounds lost 6-2, 6-2 at mixed doubles.
In girls doubles, Lauren Addy and Emily Stewart won 4-6, 6-2, 10-8 at the No. 1 spot to even the match 3-3.
At the No. 2 girls doubles spot, Kamryn Rodriguez and Marilyn Tullos took a 7-5, 4-6, 10-6 in a marathon match to secure the win for the Cougars and a spot in the Class 4A championship series.
