Deerfield-Windsor girls tennis team wins region title

VALDOSTA — After rain delayed the GISA Region 3-AAA tennis tournament for most of last week, the Deerfield-Windsor tennis teams advanced to the state tournament after a pair of strong finishes at McKey Park.

The Lady Knights, who claimed the region title last season and finished as the state runner-ups, had another strong showing. Lilia Sullivan,Deerfield’s No. 1 singles player, was seeded third in the tournament and according to DWS coach Meredith Gruhl, “did exactly what she need to do to keep the Lady Knights the champions” after she won a key match against the No. 1-seeded singles player from Valwood to seal the title for the Lady Knights.

Brookwood finished as the runner-up with Westwood and Southland finishing third and fourth respectively. All four advance to the state team tournament.

In girls singles, Brookwood’s Rachel Cooper finished as the region champion with Southland’s Kendall Crew finishing as the runner-up. Sullivan was third, while Valwood’s Olivia Cox took fourth.

The Lady Knights played strong in doubles. The No. 1 team of Joyner Tyson and Gabby Pinnero won the region crown, while its No. 2 team of Katerina Mathes and Stephanie Mathes placed third after losing a close match to Westwood’s No. 1 team of Callie Smith and McKenlee Coleman who finished as the region runner-ups.

The Deerfield-Windsor boys team finished second behind champion Brookwood. Westwood took third, while Southland finished fourth.

The Knights got a region title from its No. 1 doubles team of Will Calhoun and Tyler Lowe, while its No. 2 team of Fletcher Cromartie and Reed Reynolds placed fourth. Westwood’s team of Brock Allen and Cameron Godwin finished third.

The GISA Class AAA state individual tournament will be Monday at 1 p.m. at the John Drew Tennis Complex in Macon. The AAA state team tournament will be April 23 at the John Drew Tennis Complex starting at 9 a.m.