Varsity Boys Tennis

Danny Sullivan pulled through in the most amazing match of the season today. The boys went down 0-2 in matches against Pace today at home courts. Rain interrupted the remaining singles matches. Kevin Dong was up 6-4, 1-0. Houston Gaines had just won the second set and was about to start his third set. Danny Sullivan was down 2-6, 1-4. With these dangerous scores, the teams traveled to UGA's indoor courts to complete the match.

Once at UGA, the Spartans came out strong. Houston quickly blasted through his opponent in the third set at 2 singles. Next, Danny Sullivan fought off EIGHT match points in the second set to take the set 7-6 (7-5) after being down 4-1 (did I mention 8 match points?). At the beginning of Danny's third and final set, Kevin Dong won at 1 singles 6-4, 6-4. With everybody's attention on the last court, Danny Sullivan fought hard. He was down yet another match point at 4-5, 30-40. He battled through it and took the set in a tiebreak 7-6 (8-6).

The boys took down #2 ranked Pace Academy in the quarterfinals of state (after losing 1-4 to them earlier in the season). Now, they're looking for more revenge as they will face Brookstone in the semifinals. The Spartans lost 2-3 last time, but they are looking to turn that score around. Semifinals and finals of state are played on Friday, May 11 at the Clayton International Park.

Posted by Mr. Brown at 12:28 AM | Permalink

The Spartans played their second round of state today, Monday, April 30. Their opponents, number 7 ranked Walker, had just taken down Wesleyan who had beaten the Spartans earlier in the season. However, the boys were prepared for the challenge and took down Walker's team 3-2.

Both doubles matches lost, but Danny Sullivan put up the first point for the Spartans, winning 6-0, 6-0 at 3 singles. Next, Kevin Dong won 6-1, 6-3 at 1 singles to tie it 2 matches for the Spartans and 2 matches for Walker. The deciding point fell into the hands of Spartan Houston Gaines at 2 singles. He had battled it out in the first set to win it in a tiebreak and the crowd cheered him on as he fought hard in the second set. After almost two hours had passed, Gaines closed the match out 7-6, 6-4 to bring the Spartans to the quarterfinals.

Most likely, Athens Academy will have a rematch against number 2 ranked Pace sometime later this week or early next week.

Posted by Mr. Brown at 11:30 PM | Permalink

April 24, Spartans take down Lincoln County in less than an hour to dispatch their opponents in the first round of state. Kevin Dong finished first at one singles in 27 minutes, winning 6-0, 6-0 and Houston Gaines followed closely, also winning 6-0, 6-0. Soon, 1 doubles pair TJ Sterreberg and Robert Slocumbe finished 6-2, 6-0.

The Spartans will play either Wesleyan or Walker in the second round of state sometime early next week.

Posted by Mr. Brown at 8:44 PM | Permalink

After some thrilling tennis matches , the Spartans won their 26th consecutive region title today (April 17). Athens Academy took on Riverside Military Academy at Lakeview in the championship and began quickly by winning 1 singles and 3 singles. Sophomore Danny Sullivan finished quickly 6-1, 6-1. Minutes after, junior Kevin Dong won 6-1, 6-2.

As these two cheered on their teammates, 2 doubles pair Will Seagaves and Nathan Iyer went to a third set after their opponents had 3 match points and were up 5-2 in the second set. Talk about being clutch! Within a minute of this split, TJ Sterreberg and Robert Slocumbe split sets at 1 doubles. Soon after, Houston Gaines battled to win the second set to split sets with his opponent at 2 singles.

With three matches in third sets, the matches were not lasting longer than 2.5 hours. After fighting back from 1-6, 2-5 and match points, the short senior/freshman duo Seagraves and Iyer won 1-6, 7-6, 6-2, clinching the championship for the Spartans.

The Spartans will play the first round of state sometime next week at home courts!

Posted by Mr. Brown at 6:44 PM | Permalink

In the Region 8-A tournament, the Spartans have progressed to the finals after beating Commerce and Lakeview today, Monday, April 16, 2012. In the first round, Athens Academy did not drop a single game and went 3-0. Kevin Dong won at 1 singles 6-0, 6-0. Will Seagraves and T.J. Sterrenberg won at 1 doubles 6-0, 6-0. Freshmen Nathan Iyer and Hayden Lanzilotta won at 2 doubles 6-0, 6-0.

In the semifinals, Athens Academy met Lakeview and was victorious 3-1. Kevin Dong finished first at 1 singles, winning 6-0, 6-0. Next, Houston Gaines won at 2 singles, 6-3, 6-3. 1 doubles team T.J. Sterrenberg and Robert Slocumbe lost a close battle 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 4-6. Soon however, 2 doubles duo Will Seagraves and Nathan Iyer pulled through with a 6-0, 6-2 win, giving the Spartans their third point.

The Spartans play for the region title tomorrow morning at 10:30 against Riverside @ Lakeview. Good luck to them!

Posted by Mr. Brown at 8:59 PM | Permalink

The Spartans played in the Buckhead tournament on Friday and Saturday (April 13 and 14th). In the B division, they lost to a close match to Lambert 2-3. Kevin Dong won at 1 singles 7-5, 6-1. Danny Sullivan won at 3 singles 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7).

On Saturday, the team played Westminister II. The Spartans swept the singles matches to win 3-2. Dong won 6-1, 6-0. Sullivan finished next, winning 6-4, 6-2. To clinch the win, Houston Gaines won at 2 singles 6-2, 6-4.

In the finals of the C division, Athens Academy played single A rival Brookstone. The Spartans fought hard in all five matches. Four of these matches went to the 10 point match tiebreak (in lieu of a third set). 2 doubles lost first. Then, Gaines gave the Spartans their first point with a 4-6, 6-3, 1-0 (10-7) victory. Sullivan lost a close match at 3 singles 1-6, 6-4, 0-1 (9-11). T.J. Sterreberg and Robert Slocumbe then fought a close battle at 1 doubles, but came short 6-4, 3-6, 0-1 (9-11). Dong finished it up at 1 singles, winning 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 1-0 (10-7) to bring the overall score to 2-3.

After a weekend of good tennis, the Spartans are excited to play their region tournament on Monday (April 16) and Tuesday (April 17) at Young Harris College on Monday and at Lakeview Academy on Tuesday. Good luck to them as they seek their 26th consecutive region title.

Posted by Mr. Brown at 7:54 PM | Permalink

The Spartans traveled to Madison County today and fought hard, but came short 1-4. Danny Sullivan finished first and provided the Spartans with their only point today, winning 6-1, 6-2. 1 doubles, T.J. Sterrenberg and Robert Slocumbe battled it out, but lost 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (2-7), 2-6. Kevin Dong lost a close fight at 1 singles 3-6, 6-4, 3-6. The length of both 3 setters approached 3 long hours. Tough loss for the Spartans today, but they are looking forward to the Buckhead tournament on Friday and Saturday. Region also begins on Monday and ends on Tuesday.

Posted by Mr. Brown at 11:24 PM | Permalink