The girls’ tennis team moves on to the state playoffs, which begin tomorrow, after their sixth Region 4-AAAAA victory at Northgate Wednesday, April 17.
The boys team also qualified for state at the regional tournament last Monday, April 15, also held at Northgate. “We start tomorrow and have really high hopes for winning the state championship,” boys’ team captain senior Frank Rogers said.
“I had a pretty good season so far and as a team, we have a good chance at winning overall, and I am pretty excited for that,” junior Sebastian Schneider said. Schneider’s best score at regionals was against McIntosh with a score of 6-1.
The boys’ team played 18 games during the regular season, winning 17 of them. They defeatd McIntosh at regionals by a score of 3-0.
At regionals, the girls’ won decisively 5-0 over McIntosh, who placed second, also last Wednesday. The girls were led by junior Erin Egoroff at No.1 singles, sophomore Rachael Williams at No.2 singles, sophomore Emily Shull at No.3 singles, junior Kailey Inhulsen and junior Shannon McKillip at No.1 doubles, and seniors Cassidy Sparkman and Sam Curtis at No.2 doubles.
The girls’ team has won 15 of their 17 regular-season games. Alternate player Hannah Noltimier will also join the girls at state.
“We forgot about all of our wins and losses throughout the season and played our best since this is what counted. By focusing, keeping our heads up, and cheering each other one, we won,” said sophomore Jennifer Kurtz of her team’s regional victory
Coach Ronald Mann, who has been coaching tennis for 16 years, has been with Starr’s Mill for six years.
“I am truly blessed to be the coach of this team. I have coached at some amazing schools, and my players are the most amazing young men and women that I have ever been around. The focus, fun, and faith of this team motivates me everyday,” Mann said.
The playoffs are scheduled to begin at 4:30 p.m. at Peachtree City Tennis Center.
“Win or lose, it’s been fun getting to know all of the new faces on the team and it’s been an awesome season,” Rogers said.